Antoinette " Toni" D. Chapman

Antoinette (Toni) Chapman (nee Mazanec), age 94, passed away on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Toni was born on April 22, 1928, the second of Anton and Mary Mazanec’s six children, in Antigo WI. She was the salutatorian of Antigo High School’s class, of 1946, only missing valedictorian because she didn’t get an “A” in her typing class! She went on to study nursing at St. Mary’s in Milwaukee, again graduating at the top of her class. She worked at St. Mary’s as an RN from 1949-1953, before moving to Chicago to continue her nursing career at University of Illinois hospital (1953-1969), pioneering an IV nursing program. Toni took a career-break to raise her family, before finishing her career at Rest Haven Central nursing home. In 1968, Toni met and married her husband, Don. Over the next few years, they moved to Palos Park and had two children: Bill (Amber) and Carol Chapman. Many years later, her three grandchildren, Julia, Donny and Mary Chapman were born. As grandmother’s do, Toni adored and doted on her grandchildren. After retiring in 1993, Toni held many volunteer jobs, including working at Lake Katherine Nature Center, visiting hospice patients, working at a women’s health clinic, visiting nursing homes and shut-ins as a eucharistminister, and volunteering at the hospital. She was active for decades in St. Al’s and Palos Heights senior groups, holding various offices in the organizations. Toni always loved to travel. She traveled all over the US, including Hawaii and Alaska. Toni has also traveled to Australia, Asia, South America, Central America, The Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean. Toni has ridden a camel in the Holy Land, and an elephant through the jungles of Thailand. Toni was predeceased by her husband Donald, sisters Therese Chelbowski and Pat Jilek, brother Donald Mazanec, sister-in-law Doris Baker, brothers-in-law Bob Chlebowski, Jim Jilek, and Dave Canales. She is survived by her brother Joe Mazanec, sisters Mary Anne Canales and Beth Kondzela, sister-in-law Mary Mazanec. brothers-in-law Dan Baker and Jack Kondzela. Famous for her “Aunt-Toni nails” she was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews. Family and friends will gather for a Visitation on Wednesday 9:00 a.m. until time of prayers 11:00 a.m. at Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home 11028 Southwest Hwy. Palos Hills, IL to St. Alexander Church, Mass 11:30 a.m. Interment Private.