ANNE KENNEY CHAPLIN

1949 - 2025

CHAPLIN, Anne Kenney Born on December 6, 1949, in Boston, Massachusetts, passed away at her home in Truro, Massachusetts, on July 21, 2025. She was 75 years old. Anne grew up in Belmont, MA, the proud daughter of a firefighter. She went to Catholic school and was determined to go not just to college, but on to professional school and indeed after graduating from Boston College, she made her way to the University of Virginia Law School, graduating in 1978. She practiced at several Boston firms, including LeBouef, Lamb, Lieby and MacRae, McCullough, Stievater & Polvere and Chaplin & Chaplin. She sat on the Massachusetts Housing Court bench from 2000 to 2019. After retirement, she continued to serve the court as a recall judge, working almost full-time hours up until her passing. She loved the law and took great pride in writing just and compassionate decisions in a timely manner. She was greatly admired by staff and peers in the Massachusetts Housing court and was known not only for her wisdom, but also for her wit. Anne was married to Ansel B. Chaplin in 1997. He introduced her to Truro and they shared a love of Cape Cod, as well as erudite conversation and practicing law. She became a devoted grandmother and was known to quip that although she had no children of her own, she had six wonderful grandchildren. There was nothing she enjoyed more than visits from family, particularly if board games were on the agenda and fish was on the dinner menu. which she expertly grilled in her front yard. Anne was predeceased by Ansel, who passed in 2017. She is survived by her sister, Mary O'Connell and her husband, Mark O'Connell; two nephews, Brian O'Connell and Kevin O'Connell; and her niece, Meghan O'Connell. Anne also leaves behind Ansel's children, Rawson, Margaret (Meg) and Jane Chaplin; as well as her six beloved grandchildren: Ben Aronow and his wife; Alyssa Bacay, Rachel, Max, Miles and Sam Aronow. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Kenney and Mary Kenney (Curtin); and by Meg's late husband, Michael (Mike) Aronow. Anne will be laid to rest at Newton Cemetery. She will be remembered for her judicial acumen, her wit, and her love of family, friends and Cape Cod. Calling Hours will take place on Wednesday, August 6, at 11:00 AM, at the Newton Cemetery Chapel, 791 Walnut St., Newton, MA, immediately followed by a Service and Burial in Newton Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon after the Services at Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton, MA 02466. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anne's memory to the Truro Conservation Trust. Arrangements are being handled by Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 Macarthur Blvd., BOURNE, MA 02532.

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