Studied the Shakers, docent at Fruitlands, proud descendant of early Maine settlers
Gail Kaepplein. (Courtesy photo)
Gail M. (Chadbourne) Kaepplein, 87, a 46-year resident of Harvard, died Dec. 8, 2024, following an unexpected and brief battle with lymphoma.
Gail grew up in Quincy and was a 1955 graduate of Quincy High. She married Howard Kaepplein (MIT ’59) in 1959, moved to London several years later with their son Mark, and the family traveled extensively throughout Europe together, aided by au pairs. Gail was a cat lover, devoted mother, and student of feminist theology, the Shakers, crewel embroidery, colonial architecture, and colonial furnishings. She had been a parishioner at University Lutheran Church of Cambridge. After moving to Harvard, she became a docent at the Shaker Museum at Fruitlands, member of the Harvard Woman’s Club, Boston Shaker Study Group, and Wayside Inn needlepoint group, where she made many friends.
Gail was a proud descendant of William Chadbourne, who was a 1632 settler of Kittery and South Berwick, Maine. Among many endeavors, Chadbournes built and operated several sawmills in Maine to address the housing shortage. However, Indigenous people burned them down, disrupting the supply chain to slow the invasion of migrants from England. The Old Berwick Historical Society has conducted many archeological digs at the site of a Chadbourne home to learn more about colonial life.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 55 years, Howard E. Kaepplein, and brothers Kerry and Robert Chadbourne. She was also predeceased by her parents, Robert H. Chadbourne and Edith (Walter) Chadbourne of Quincy. She is survived by her devoted son, Mark Kaepplein, of Arlington; nephew Howard Chadbourne of Braintree; nieces Karan Little of Pembroke and Tracy Leone of Quincy; Kristy Chadbourne of Quincy; Kristy Kaepplein of Fairhaven, New Jersey, and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Badger Funeral Home in Littleton. Graveside service will be Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1 p.m. at Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Old Berwick Historical Society.
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