Gail M. Kaepplein

Gail M. (Chadbourne) Kaepplein, 87, a 46-year resident of Harvard MA went home on Dec. 8, 2024 following an unexpected and brief battle with lymphoma, joining her beloved husband of 55 years, Howard E. Kaepplein and brothers Kerry and Robert Chadbourne. She is also predeceased by her parents Robert H. Chadbourne and Edith (Walter) Chadbourne of Quincy MA. She is survived by her devoted son, Mark Kaepplein of Arlington MA, nephew Howard Chadbourne of Braintree MA, nieces Karan Little of Pembroke and Tracy Leone of Quincy MA, Kristy Chadbourne of Quincy MA, Kristy Kaepplein of Fairhaven NJ, and many great nieces and great nephews.

Gail grew up in Quincy, MA, and was a 1955 graduate of Quincy High. She married Howard Kaepplein (MIT ’59) in 1959, moved to London several years later with son Mark, and 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 (UniLu) of Cambridge MA. After moving to Harvard MA, she became a docent at the Shaker Museum at Fruitlands, member of the Harvard Women’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, Chadbourns built and operated several sawmills in Maine to address the housing shortage, however Indigenous People burnt 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.

Family and friends will gather for calling hours on Sunday, December 15th 1:00-3:00 pm at Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton, MA. Graveside service will be Tuesday, December 17th, 1:00 pm, at Bellevue Cemetery, Harvard MA. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:
Old Berwick Historical Society
2 Liberty Street
South Berwick , ME 03908
207-384-0000
www.oldberwick.org

Arrangements under the care of Badger Funeral Home, 347 King Street, Littleton, MA 01460 978-486-3709 www.badgerfuneral.com