Verline Chapman Olinde's Obituary
Verline Chapman Olinde, born May 10, 1933 near Oak Grove, LA, passed away in Mandeville, LA on September 15, 2021 as a result of breast cancer. Daughter of Frank Chapman and Julia Hill Chapman, she is survived by her husband, Alfred “Al” Olinde, M.D. and her three children (spouses), Anna Oleson (Eric) and Alfred “Fred,” Jr. (Melanie) and William “Bill” Olinde, her grandchildren James, Anna and Katherine Olinde, step grandchildren Max Wild-Oleson, James and Nicholas Tracy, as well as her siblings Roger Chapman (Charlene) and Lois Girod (Hershel, deceased). Also survived by Special family (spouses) Thomas Sawyer (Barbara), Gail Thomas (Henry, deceased), Carol Costello (Mike), and Maria Butler (Mike).
She is predeceased by her parents and siblings Edith Rhodes and Willis, Elmer and Charles Chapman.
Verline grew up in Oak Grove, LA, and received a BS, RN and RNA from LSU and Charity hospital in New Orleans. She worked as a Nurse Anesthetist before retiring to raise her three children. She spent the majority of her adult life in uptown New Orleans before moving to Slidell, then Mandeville. She lived her summers in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Highlands, NC. In every location, she made friends easily and became involved in the community.
Verline had an active social and civic life which included but not limited to the Opera Assn., and served as president of the Slidell Symphony Society and chairman of the Medical Auxiliary. She enjoyed Mardi Gras balls and in 2008 was queen of Alexis. She loved to bring people together and gave many parties. She fed everyone’s soul with her gourmet cooking, grand story-telling and abundant laughter. Verline sang often with her beautiful voice whether alone or in harmony with others or alongside a piano player. In her spare time, she loved to play duplicate bridge, read novels, and attend music and theatre performances. She followed the Protestant faith.
Married for 60 years to Al Olinde, she was a loving and devoted wife and mother to her three children. She will be missed by family and friends but will always be remembered for her spirited engagement with the people and community that she loved. May she rest in peace and find comfort in heaven.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Verline Olinde may be made to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, 2533 Columbus Street, Ste. 202, New Orleans, LA 70119, https://lpomusic.com/donate; or the St. Tammany Parish Library System, 1112 W. 21st Avenue, Covington, LA 70433, https://www.sttammanylibrary.org.
Private services will be held by the family on Friday, September 24, 2021. Relatives and friends are invited to watch the service online at www.ejfieldingfh.com by clicking on Verline’s obituary, Photos & Videos tab, Webcasting Video.
E. J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. The family invites you to share thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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