Susan Florence Chipman

Susan Florence Chipman

Fairfield

Susan Florence Chipman passed away peacefully at the age of 71 on February 23, 2024, at her home in Fairfield, Iowa, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

Born in Kentville, Nova Scotia to the late Eugene and Gladys (Miller) Chipman, she leaves behind four siblings who all treasure her and will miss her terribly: Betty Simpson (Hugh), Wolfville, NS; Bill, New Minas, NS; Nancy Chipman (Larry Arsenault), Paris, Ontario; and Robert (Margie), Tupperville, NS.

Susan was a devoted and very special aunt to Tania, Andrea and David Simpson; Kathryn, Suzanne, and Julie Arsenault; and Ryan, Emma, Adam, Allie, Leah and Eric Chipman. She also adored all of her 26 great-nieces and -nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and nephew Colin Chipman.

Susan grew up in Nova Scotia and enjoyed town life in Kentville and farm life in Tupperville, where she ran wild with her sibs on the family fruit and vegetable farm. She was always up for fun and enthusiastically embraced life and learning. She had a thirst for adventure and in 1974, at age 21, she headed off to Papua New Guinea to teach high school with CUSO International for 3+ years. The experience shaped her life, began her lifelong international travels and initiated a circle of friends around the world who will miss her.

Upon returning to Canada, she obtained a B Ed at Acadia University in 1979 and ultimately a MA in Education from Maharishi International University in Fairfield in 1990. She taught school in Nova Scotia for several years, but her growing interest in Transcendental Meditation finally led her to move to Fairfield in 1986. She continued to teach and eventually landed her dream job facilitating the Fairfield Community School District’s home schooling program for 27 years. She was, by all accounts, an exceptional teacher. She brought to the program her zest for life, her kind and gentle nature and her devotion to both students and the learning process. For many years, she also taught Brain Gym--a type of educational kinesiology--to children and adults, using it to awaken the learning potential of their brains through movement.

Susan was a spiritual and religious person who was interested in diverse ideas and philosophies. She was the ultimate friend to so many people, always giving others her unconditional love and support. She was also just plain fun to be around! She loved to dance, laugh and was generally a free spirit.

The family would like to thank Susan’s team of caregivers who have loved and supported her over the past year while her health declined. Special thanks to Deanna Julsen and Jennifer Hamilton, RN.

A celebration of Susan’s life took place at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 26, at Cranston Family Funeral Home, 2805 W. Burlington Ave. in Fairfield. There will also be a second celebration in Nova Scotia this coming summer, date to be determined.

Donations in Susan's memory may be made to:

-Fairfield Cares at FairfieldCares.net or 2197 236th Blvd., Fairfield IA 52556

-I AM Sanctuary of Fairfield, 51 1/2 N. Court St., Fairfield, IA 52556