Linda Chapman
B: May 4, 1956 (Woodstock, NB)
D: June 26, 2020 (Calgary, AB)
On Friday, June 26, long-term CBA Alberta team member Linda Chapman passed away after a 3-year battle with cancer. She is survived by her husband, Curtis Chapman, her son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Jeanette Chapman, and her beloved grandchildren Colten and Kylie Chapman.
Born and raised in New Brunswick, Linda continued to visit the province each summer, often with her grandchildren, and planned on returning upon her retirement. Linda joined CBA Alberta in the summer of 1999 after moving to Alberta and has been the “face” of the Calgary office ever since. One cannot think about our Sections without also thinking of Linda.
Linda will be best remembered for the warm rapport she had with each CBA Alberta member that came through the door of the Calgary office, spoke to her on the phone, or sent her an email. She welcomed almost every member into the office by name, (gently) chastising those that she had not seen regularly and spending a few minutes catching up on the goings-on of their practice, their families, and their lives. So loved and appreciated was Linda that when CBA Alberta staff gathered a book of well-wishes from members for her earlier this year, the notes of support and appreciation took up over forty pages. In these pages, she is described as the “heart and soul” of the CBA Alberta. Many of the notes remark on her humour, readiness to share a laugh, and the work she put in every day to support CBA Alberta members and Sections.
Many CBA Alberta members may not be able to think of a time in their career where Linda has not been present. They first knew her as students or in the early stages of their careers and have gone on to become leaders in their firms, serve in leadership positions with the CBA, or move on to positions on the bench. Linda could always be counted upon to be a cheerleader for the CBA and was often the one to actively encourage members to consider giving back by volunteering on Section executives or committees. She has watched several “CBA babies” grow up and go on to practice law themselves. For so many, particularly those involved in Sections in Calgary, Linda has always been available to answer a question, and to provide guidance and insight.
For her colleagues at CBA Alberta, Linda was an invaluable source of knowledge. If you started a question with “Do you remember when…”, Linda would have an answer for you in the form of an old file, email, or publication by the time you finished. She was always eager to help, whether she was sitting at the registration desk at the Alberta Law Conference, attending Law Day in Calgary, or making herself available to share ideas with. Linda was the first to wish you a happy birthday, organize gifts for Christmas, and ask you all about your weekend. She also gave the best hugs.
Outside of her work with the CBA, Linda was a devoted grandparent to Colten and Kylie. They were avid baseball players and talented members of their local youth dart club, and Linda would regularly share stories of their most recent successes with the rest of the CBA Alberta team. In the summers, Linda and Curtis would spend their vacations with their grandchildren, driving across Canada to visit New Brunswick or camping around Calgary.
Linda will be missed dearly by her friends – the CBA Alberta staff and members whose lives she has touched over the past twenty years. We will hold her memory close to our hearts and carry on her legacy by always having a warm smile and a ready laugh for those who need it.
At Linda's request, there was no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Diabetes Canada.