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Karol Ann Chapman (née Romansky) of Havre de Grace, MD passed away in her sleep the morning of April 18, 2025. She was born on November 21, 1945 at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, NY. The second child of Wanda and James Romansky and the only daughter among three sons, Karol was a spitfire, full of energy, and naturally inquisitive. In her 1963 Bay Shore High School yearbook, the phrase "never a dull moment" was featured under her picture, summing her up perfectly. Aware of her vocation at an early age, for several years in High School she was a member of the Future Teachers of America Club. Karol went on to attend SUNY Courtland for her undergraduate degree and then Adelphi University where she graduated with a Master of Arts in Education. Immersed in raising her two daughters for over a decade, Karol then began an incredibly fulfilling teaching career for the Harford County School System at William Paca Elementary School. Her zest for learning, teaching, and love for her students made her a favorite to many. Her daughters remember past students running up to their mother when she was spotted out and about, to give her a hug and tell her that she was their favorite teacher. Karol often chose not to take a break in the summer, but taught summer school for those who needed to attend. She earned numerous teaching awards, wrote curriculum for the school district, and always infused fun and imagination into her lessons. She had been teaching at Dublin Elementary School for many years when she retired. An extremely generous and loyal friend to all, she was truly one of kind. Full of wit, and always ready with a joke or funny anecdote in order to spread a laugh, an interaction with Karol "with a K", or just K was not forgotten. A lover of nature, her scientific brain retained the name of every plant and tree she came in contact with (often in Latin). She enjoyed many passions at different stages throughout her life: motorcycle riding in her 30's, cycling in her 40's, ushering at theatrical performances in her 50's, and after her retirement, pickleball, sailing, and spending as much time with her grandchildren as possible. To them she was known as their beloved Omi. She taught her two daughters to be strong and independent. As one of four children of second generation Polish and Ukrainian immigrant parents, she was brought up knowing a life of hard work and perseverance. She battled Parkinsons Disease for over a decade, but her spunk, fire, and desire to never stop learning, kept her going for years when her disease could've easily gotten the best of her. A teacher even after her passing, her last wishes were for her body to be used for scientific research to educate future medical professionals and advance medical knowledge. Her daughters will hold a ceremony when her ashes are returned to them from Duke University in the Fall of 2025. Karol with a "K"; is survived by her daughter, Karen Kirsheman and husband Steve Wilson; her daughter Sarah Kirsheman Pagano and husband Mike Pagano; grandchildren Riley, Isabella, and Ezekiel; Her brothers James Jr., Wesley, and Nicholas Romansky and their wives and families; her caregiver Robyn Witherspoon and all of her friends in the Cadence Assisted Living in Mooresville, NC; as well as many more family members and friends who will miss her dearly. Karol was predeceased by her mother Wanda Koral Romansky, her father James Romansky, her first husband Robert Douglas Kirsheman, her second husband Stuart I. Chapman, and her third husband Edward Luetkemeyer.

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Karol Ann Chapman

November 21, 1945 - April 18, 2025