Obituary for Elizabeth (Edson) Chapleski
Chapleski, Elizabeth Joan Edson, age 87, of Ann Arbor, died January 8, 2023. Elizabeth (also known as Betty) was born October 28, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Harvey and Violet (Young) Edson.
She attended Calumet High School where she was a cheerleader and active in music. She was part of a singing trio called the “Fosterettes” that won the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour (a kind of early local American Idol competition) in 1951.
She attended DePauw University then transferred to University of Michigan, where she met John Chapleski whom she married in 1957. After raising their children, Elizabeth went back to school and received her Masters of Social Work and then her PhD in Sociology both from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She was an Associate Professor at Wayne State University in the Institute of Gerontology. She was an accomplished researcher and grant writer, working on the Statewide Needs of American Indians and the American Indian Health and Family Services. She had several publications and presentations. She “retired” at age 70, but continued to write grants and teach online courses until the age of 85. She was a lifelong learner, continuing to keep active through book clubs, writing groups, and euchre.
Elizabeth was an outgoing kind soul who cherished friendships and family. She is survived by her three children, Mark (Audrey) Chapleski, Scott (Colleen) Chapleski, and Jennifer (Vince) Chapleski Dudinec; six grandchildren, Ali Chapleski, Haley Chapleski, Johnny Dudinec, Jason Dudinec, Jack Chapleski, and Kai Chapleski; a niece, Christina Edson, great-nephew, Connor Edson. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Luther Scott Edson, and daughter, Kathryn Chapleski.
A memorial service is being planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit www.aihfs.org/donate/
She attended Calumet High School where she was a cheerleader and active in music. She was part of a singing trio called the “Fosterettes” that won the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour (a kind of early local American Idol competition) in 1951.
She attended DePauw University then transferred to University of Michigan, where she met John Chapleski whom she married in 1957. After raising their children, Elizabeth went back to school and received her Masters of Social Work and then her PhD in Sociology both from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She was an Associate Professor at Wayne State University in the Institute of Gerontology. She was an accomplished researcher and grant writer, working on the Statewide Needs of American Indians and the American Indian Health and Family Services. She had several publications and presentations. She “retired” at age 70, but continued to write grants and teach online courses until the age of 85. She was a lifelong learner, continuing to keep active through book clubs, writing groups, and euchre.
Elizabeth was an outgoing kind soul who cherished friendships and family. She is survived by her three children, Mark (Audrey) Chapleski, Scott (Colleen) Chapleski, and Jennifer (Vince) Chapleski Dudinec; six grandchildren, Ali Chapleski, Haley Chapleski, Johnny Dudinec, Jason Dudinec, Jack Chapleski, and Kai Chapleski; a niece, Christina Edson, great-nephew, Connor Edson. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Luther Scott Edson, and daughter, Kathryn Chapleski.
A memorial service is being planned for the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the American Indian Health and Family Services in Detroit www.aihfs.org/donate/