Lauren S. Chapin
1958 - 2008
Lauren S. Chapin
1958 - 2008
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Lauren Chapin Obituary
Lauren was born in Atchison, Kan., on Nov. 22, 1958.
She was graduated from West Platte High School in 1977. She also was a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia and Emerson College in Boston, where she lived for several years before returning to Kansas City.
She is survived by her husband, Timothy Finn; and two daughters, Brenna Chapin Finn and Maren Chapin Finn, all of the home; her parents, Loren and Rosamond Chapin of Rushville, Mo.; a brother, John Chapin of Rushville; sisters, Kristan Easter-Brown of Kearney, Mo.; and Robyn Cado of Kansas City; nieces and nephews, Cara, Colleen and Alycia Scalfani; James and Kate Finn; Hayden and Griffin Eckstein; Radleigh and Keegan Herschel; Meghan, Katelynn and Ryann Chapin; Kyle and Erin Easter; Madison Brown; and Gianna, Elijah and Arlee Cado; and hundreds of friends and loved ones around the world.
Lauren was an avid traveler, gardener, cook and admirer of food. She had been the food critic at the Kansas City Star since 2000. In 2005, she was nominated for a James Beard Award for best newspaper columns.
Before becoming the Star's food critic, Lauren was a freelance photographer for "The Star" and other publications, and a photography instructor at William Jewell College, Liberty, Mo. She also worked on several independent photography projects. Her favorite project was one devoted to women's roles in rural America. Her photographs have been exhibited in several Kansas City galleries.
Lauren was also an avid bicyclist. Since 2004, she has participated in RAGBRAI, the annual week-long summer bike trip across Iowa. She was also an organ donor.
A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Gano Memorial Auditorium on the campus of William Jewell College in Liberty. Arrangements are by D.W. Newcomer's Sons Church-Archer-Pasley Funeral Home, 119 E. Franklin, in Liberty.
A college fund has been established for her daughters. Contributions may be sent to the Brenmaren Fund in care of the Bank of Weston, Mo., 64098.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at: www.dwnewcomers.com.
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Cheryl Allenbrand
March 26, 2009
Tim and family,
It sounds like Lauren was an amazing woman and I know you will all miss her. God bless you all. Keep the faith!
Scot Morrissey
January 22, 2009
Tim, Mar and Brenna, I am devastated...I am so sorry for u all. I send my love an prayers and love for you all. Lauren was bigger than life and I celebrate her an all of you......Scot Morrissey, Athens, GA.
M&M Craig
January 13, 2009
I am just stunned...I can only say please accept our sympathies to your family. My husband and I have been away from Kansas City for over five years and are in the process of coming back after living abroad. I was catching up on all things food in KC and read the terrible news. Our thoughts are with you and thank you for donating her organs.
Carleton "Corky" Williams
January 9, 2009
Tim and family..I wanted to express my heartfelt condolences to you over Lauren's untimely passing. As I am not known to your family, it was also my desire to give you space and privacy before adding my comments. While I never had the honor of meeting Lauren, I had heard her lovely voice on the radio. She leaves behind more friends and admirers than you can know. As I read the comments here from friends & family, the phrase "a life well lived" appears repeatedly. I hope and pray that you all heal with time, and that your family will all continue to 'live well' also. Respectfully, Corky
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Helen Bushman
December 26, 2008
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Tim, Brenna, Mara & all of Lauren's family & friends. As one who knew her only through her columns I am deeply saddened & shocked to hear of her passing. I echo everyone else in saying, "Lauren, I will miss you."
Margo Feiden
December 23, 2008
Maren and Brenna - I met you and your Mom through Sara F. I could tell that she was a very special person. I lost my Dad at age 10 and I know that NOTHING but time will make it easier for you. You girls grow up and make your Mom proud. You now have a guardian angel watching over you.
Robert Noecker
December 23, 2008
I am deeply saddened by Lauren's passing and my heart goes out to Brenna, Mer Mer and Tim and her immediate family and family at the Star. Lauren had a great appetite for food and for life. I'll miss her gentle laugh and ironic, wry sense of humor. If only words COULD heal. They can't and only time can, but words can comfort. I have a haard time speaking of her in the past tense when there is nothing past tense about the love and need for them, that , if anything has grown more acute in her passing. I just want to join you in sensing her continuing presence. When I lost my wife two years ago, Lauren was one of the most supportive people in my life when all seemed lost and I'll always remember her gentle humor and the ways she helped all of us see the lighter side of life.
Peggy
December 20, 2008
I was so sad to hear of her passing. I always turned to her reviews. Thursdays were special. She led me to some great restaurants. Lauren will be missed. She touched many lives.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Paula Janicke
December 20, 2008
Dear Tim, Brenna and Maren,
Tim and I were heartbroken to learn of Lauren's death. She had been so kind to our family since Tim has been ill, and we were amazed at the delicious meals she prepared for us. We especially enjoyed her delectable homemade breads. I always got a kick out of the way she unpacked the food and grabbed spoons so we could taste it together, all the while discussing ingredients and warm-up instructions. I know she was incredibly busy, but she always stayed a while and brought us up to date on the happenings at The Star. That meant a lot to Tim. I'm sorry we couldn't attend services, but we'll celebrate her life in our own way today. We'll uncork the bottle of wine she brought us the last time we saw her, and we'll drink a toast -- just a sip for Tim, but several for me -- to Lauren Chapin, our dear friend, and a life well-lived. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Tim and Paula Janicke
David and Jenny German
December 19, 2008
We never actually had the priviledge of meeting Lauren, but did have some telephone conversations. She could not have been nicer or more accomodating. We read anything with her by-line and followed her suggestions. We are richer for having been exposed to her talent. Our profound condolences to her entire network of family and friends.
Adrianne Verhoeven Ellen King
December 19, 2008
Please know how sorry we are for your loss. Lauren was a bright, shining star. The beautiful full moon this week surely was there in her honor.
Steve Wilson
December 18, 2008
Tim - My deepest sympathy. I've wanted to give you space to spend time and heal with your family and those dearest to you. I didn't want my silence to be interpreted as lack of recognition. You and your girls take care.
Best,
Steve Wilson
John & Linda Garlinger
December 18, 2008
"Only the good die young"
-- Billy Joel
Lauren -- my wife and I are still going to the restaurants that we "discovered" by reading your columns. You helped improve our quality of life and meet new friends. We will miss you; our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Cheryl
December 18, 2008
How will I ever know where to dine now? I loved Lauren's reviews. She wrote with humor and love.
Dennis Bruna
December 17, 2008
My sympathies to the family. Lauren baby sat with my young daughters when we all lived at Bean Lake many years ago. We just recently became reacquainted via email and I enjoyed her Star Column. Sorry to have her gone, I'll miss her.
Kenyon & barbara Greene
December 17, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family for now and the future
Tom & Joyce Koch
December 17, 2008
Our Thoughts and prayers are with you
Judy Brewer
December 17, 2008
Life well lived!
Tim, Brenna and Mara, I'm saddened by Lauren's passing. She was so full of life. Brenna and Mara, she loved you so much and took such joy in being your mom. You were the light in her life. May your memories bring comfort to you. God bless you.
malcolm haney
December 17, 2008
She was my buddy. I will miss our conversations about Jerry's Woodswether cafe.
Tauy Scott
December 16, 2008
My deepest sympathy to Lauren's family at this time. As a high school classmate, Lauren was a dear friend. She had such spunk and was always sweet with a smile on her face. I don't think she ever had an enemy. Though her life was cut short, Lauren lived far more than most of us ever dreamed. We all knew that Lauren was going to take on the world and she did just that. I feel really blessed to have called her a friend.
Ridge Watson
December 16, 2008
The Watsons and everyone at Joullian Vineyards send their thoughts and prayers to Lauren's family.
Food and Wine were her passiion as well as her profession, and we will miss her wit and wisdom.
Rob Prevost
December 16, 2008
My thoughts and prayers for Laurens family at this difficult time.
Lidia's Kansas City
December 16, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
sue reich
December 16, 2008
so saddened by Lauren's passing. I too had AVM, it is a birth defect and wasn't caught until I was in my 50's. It so undetectable. God bless her, her family and friends.
JoAnna Palacio
December 16, 2008
What a great loss. My prayers and condolences to the family of Lauren S. Chapin. Her status in Kansas City will be hard to replace.
JoAnna Palacio
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