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Cora Chaffins Obituary
Born in Pikeville, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Richard and Frances (Snodgrass) Chaffins, Cody had been a resident of Providence for the past thirty-two years.
She earned her BA from the University of California-Santa Barbara and her M.Ed. from the University of Massachusetts. She was a Peace Corps volunteer having served in Cameroon.
She was a teacher with the Providence School Department for thirty-one years teaching at the Windmill Street, Samuel Bridgham, and Esek Hopkins schools; from 2000 until her retirement in 2003, she served as an Instructional Coach. The Public Education Fund chose Cody in 1994 and 2000 as a teacher recipient of the 'Excellence in Education Award'. She enjoyed knitting, playing cards, especially Spades, and socializing with friends.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Emily Basileo and her son Matthew Basileo both of Providence; a brother Richard Chaffins, III of California; a niece; several cousins, and an extended family of cherished friends.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, May 13 at 1 PM at the First Unitarian Church, 1 Benevolent Street, Providence. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name to the Program in Women's Oncology, One Blackstone Place, Providence, RI 02905 would be appreciated.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cora Chaffins
Jean Agern and my mother Iva.
April 27, 2025
I know this is late but brother Rick is still with us-maybe in Riverside?
I was Cody, her brother's and mother's next door neighbor for years. I loved them all, especially Cody and her mother Fran. May they all rest in peace.
Teri Ito Abbott
May 18, 2006
Cody was my dear friend and former UCSB roommate (1966), we kept in touch over the last 39 years. We shared great memories and advice about our daughters. I am so glad Miriam and I visited Cody and her family in March; we had a great Sat. adventure together--Cody was so alive that day! I will miss Cody; I send my love to Michael, Emily and Matthew.
Stan Premy
May 13, 2006
I met Cody on a plane bound for Africa. I came to know her as a moral compass, an educator and a conscience serving the children of the world.
Krystal Collis
May 9, 2006
Cody Chaffins was my 6th grade teacher. I had her for two period back in 1999-2000. I always loved her dearly and she will always be mised in my heart. She always made my day brighter I know that she is in a better place now.
susan tracy
May 8, 2006
Mike, Emily,Matthew, sorry to hear about Coty . My sympathies & condolences to all of you.
Susan & Jessica Tracy
wayne sylvia
May 4, 2006
ms chaffins was my 6th grade history tracher for a period of time and i learned a lot that if u dont feel good then you can have malted milk balls. she was an excellent teacher and she will be missed
Wendy Aronoff
May 3, 2006
Cody and I go back to the Linwood Avenue days. She was a big sister to me, a role model and her competence taught me about strength. Thanks, Cody.
Ina
May 3, 2006
Cody's legacy is in the lives of the thousands of children she taught, directly or indirectly, and with whom she shared exuberance, imagination, delight, wonder and a love of learning. She lives on in countless ways, and in all of our hearts, with love.
joanne murray
May 3, 2006
Cody,
I met Cody and Michael when we adopted our children from Korea.
We also taught together in Providence. My sympathies and condolences go out to Michael and Emily and Matthew.
Joanne Silver Murray
Gloria Graham-Rodrigues
May 3, 2006
Cody, my first day on the job,you were so nice to me. It's been a blessing to have worked with such a wonderful woman. I will always cherish your beatiful spirit deep within my heart. You will forever be deeply missed. Love Gloria Graham-Rodrigues
Stephane Rigney
May 3, 2006
To Cody's family and friends:
I knew Cody only a short time, but in that time she taught me a lot about teaching and life. She was the strongest person I knew, always looking at the positives and hoping for the best! It was a pleasure to work with her and she will be sorely missed.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Rigney
(former teacher at Esek Hopkins)
Maggie Walsh
May 3, 2006
I remember the beautiful art book Cody brought to Hopkins, to the sixth grade team, when we were working on a project. The inscription in the art book said, To Cody, My Beautiful Treasure.
Love, Michael. Cody was a true treasure to us on the sixth grade team too and I learned a great deal from her.
Margaret Mary McCormick
May 3, 2006
As Winnie-the-Pooh said to Tigger, "We'll be friends forever - even longer."
I'll always cherish our friendship.
Love, Margaret
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