Meet The Members

Shannon and her husband, Jim, have lived in Chapin since 2002. Shannon retired from teaching at Chapin Middle School in 2015 in order to help care for newborn twin grandsons. Jim retired around the same time from insurance management. In addition to the twins, they have a daughter and a son. They enjoy golfing, boating, swimming in the lake, traveling, and especially playing with their grandsons. Shannon is the First Vice President of the Chapin Woman’s Club.

Patty and her husband, Terry, retired from Iowa to Chapin in 2019. Patty is a retired Dentist and Terry a packaging Engineer. They have 5 daughters and 6 grandchildren. They enjoy golfing, boating,  swimming, traveling and most of all, family! Patty is the Chapin Woman’s Club president for the 2024-2026 term.

Judie and her husband, Chuck, began a wonderful new chapter in 2023 when they moved to the Lake here in Chapin. They quickly fell in love with the warmth of the community and the fast friendships they’ve made along the way. As the proud mother of six and grandmother to twenty-three—including two great-grandchildren—Judie’s life is beautifully full of stories, laughter, and the very best kind of family chaos.

Before retiring, Judie spent her career as a toy designer, a role that allowed her to think like a kid and remain endlessly curious. For Judie, creativity is both a compass and a favorite language, guiding her to explore art in all its forms. Guided by the belief that health, family, purpose, and friendship are the four strokes that turn a long life into a masterpiece, she finds her greatest joy in the relationships and lasting memories built with those she loves most.

I have lived in Chapin for the past 22 years.

I have two daughters, Laura Becker lives in Lexington, SC and Jill Rosa, lives in Lexington, MA. I have three wonderful grandchildren.

I joined Chapin Woman’s Club in 2022 and served as Board Secretary and presently as 3rd V.P. Membership.

I love to travel having explored 32 U.S. National Parks and traveled internationally.

I have volunteered for the USO at the Columbia Airport for the last 17 years and have been very active in my HOA serving as Board Member, Corporate Secretary,and Recording Secretary for the past 20 years. Rules & Regulations Chair for thepast 12 years

I retired recently after a long career at Blue Cross Blue Shield in Northeast Columbia. My husband and I moved to this side of town over 7 years ago to be close to our son, daughter in law and 2 grandkids. I enjoy helping at my granddaughter's school, reading, and traveling with my husband and friends.

Suzanne is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma and lived in Colorado, Tennessee and Ohio before finally settling in South Carolina in 2006. Suzanne has been an active member of Chapin Woman’s Club since 2009. She has served as Flamingo Fling event chair three years, and as Club President twice. At the state level, she served as International Outreach Chair under two administrations, was selected as the GFWC-SC LEADS representative in 2016 and has served on the GFWC Executive Committee since 2018 as Secretary, 2nd Vice President, 1st VP, President-elect and State President 2024-2026. She serves on the GFWC Board of Directors. Suzanne and husband Jim have two children and enjoy spending time on their replica Dutch barge, currently moored in France.

Jody moved to Chapin in 2024 with her husband, Tom, to be closer to their family, which includes their daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren—featuring a set of triplets.

Her extensive educational background includes a B.S., a Master of Social Work (MSW), and a Doctor of Social Work (DSW). Jody retired after a dedicated 34-year career as a clinical social worker, during which she held impactful roles as a Human Service Supervisor, Mental Health Supervisor, Hospice Coordinator, and outpatient dialysis social worker.

In her free time, Jody enjoys gardening, reading, and traveling. Most recently, she served as the chair for the 2026 Butterfly Release at Crooked Creek Park.

I am a proud native of the Carolinas and have called Columbia home since 2004. I currently live in the Chapin area with my husband, Chip, who grew up locally. We have been married for 31 years, and our family has deep roots in this community—especially during the years our daughters were involved in local public schools and a wide variety of activities, including dance, Girl Scouts, gymnastics, soccer, horseback riding, and more. We are members of Grace Point Presbyterian Church, where I served on the Women's Ministry Team and my husband is an Elder.

I graduated from Lander University with a B.S. in Sociology and later earned a Master of Education in Community Agency Counseling from Clemson University. Before moving to Columbia, I worked as a Counselor at Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC.

Today, I am incredibly proud of both of my daughters. My oldest is now a practicing veterinarian in Seneca, South Carolina, and my youngest graduated from Clemson University and is pursuing her passion for riding Hunter/Jumper horses professionally.

Outside of work, I love spending time on our farm with our horses, dogs, and cats. I enjoy walking with the dogs, boating, traveling, and—most of all—spending time with my family.

I have been selling real estate for the past 16 years. What began as a hobby once my children got older quickly grew into a true passion—one built almost entirely on referrals from clients who trusted me with their biggest investment. Helping people navigate the buying and selling process is incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful for the relationships I’ve built along the way.

I am an honest, hardworking, and dedicated person who loves helping others. Real estate is my passion, and I understand that buying or selling a home is one of the most important investments you will make for you and your family. I would love the opportunity to help you make the best decision.

I am the official symbol of GFWC-Chapin Woman's Club.  I travel across the website from time to time.  If you can find me, you might win a prize.

Many in the Chapin area recognize that something is going on with CWC when they see a flamingo.  It started with the Flamingo Fling.  But I may show up anywhere. Members often inconrporate me into their clothing.

“Bert” returned to her home state of South Carolina along with her late husband, “Doc” (Charles), in 2004, after retiring from a 30+ year career in the insurance industry. She has two married daughters (one in Chapin), one adult granddaughter, and two grandkids still in high school.

Bert held an executive position with CIGNA Property & Casualty Insurance Company, later ACE, managing claims service overseas for U.S. multinational corporations, traveling extensively abroad. Transfers during her career took her from Columbia to Jackson, MS, Kansas City, Philadelphia, and Wilmington, DE. Although Bert and her husband were both natives of the South Carolina coast, the pull to return to the Chapin area was strong, since the couple had enjoyed living and sailing on Lake Murray in the late 70’s.

Bert holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s from Baker University as well as the designation of Casualty Claims Law Associate from the American Education Institute. She has served as CWC’s parliamentarian for several administrations and enjoys taking part in the Club’s community service projects as well as the fundraisers and socials. Bert is an active member of St. Francis Episcopal Church where she plays piano at the 8:30 service every Sunday. She loves to play golf, travel, and enjoy family.

My husband Bill and I are Maryland natives who found our way to beautiful Chapin, South Carolina in 2021. After 50 wonderful years of marriage, we’ve been blessed with four amazing sons and three cherished grandchildren who fill our lives with joy. Three of our boys now call South Carolina home, while one remains in Maryland.

Though I’m semi-retired, dedicating 34 years to the same company, I still enjoy staying involved. Bill, on the other hand, is fully retired and loving it. We’re grateful every day for our journey, our growing family, and this welcoming community we now call home.

Originally from Alabama and Georgia, Elizabeth and her husband have proudly called Chapin home for the past 16 years. They share a deep love for Lake Murray—so much so that Elizabeth’s husband designed the official Lake Murray Flag, a favorite among local boaters that proudly hangs at the Chamber of Commerce and is sold in boutiques throughout town.

As a dedicated Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Elizabeth truly loves helping people find a place to call home and has spent years guiding families as they discover and settle into the area. She and her husband have three children, all proud Clemson graduates, and they cherish every moment spent together as a family. Deeply rooted in her community, Elizabeth loves to serve others, worships at Riverland Hills, and enjoys cooking and traveling in her free time.

My husband, Troy, and I will celebrate our 41st anniversary in June 2026. We have lived in Chapin on Lake Murray for 10 years but have enjoyed the lake since our young teens as we grew up in the Saint Andrews area and lived in Irmo for 30 years and spent many weekends on the lake. We have a son, daughter in-law and grandson who live in Mint Hill NC. In 2018, I retired from AgFirst Farm credit Bank in Columbia after 33 years, just in time to spend time with my soon to be born grandson, Evan. I love boating, traveling and the Gamecocks and attend most of their football, basketball and baseball games. Looking for a way to help in my community, I joined the Chapin Woman’s Club in 2024.

Kaye and her husband, Greg, own The Classy Cruet Olive Oils & Vinegars. 

Kaye enjoys sharing her passion for cooking and for living a healthy lifestyle. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and playing golf with her CWC sisters.

A native South Carolinian, Kaye met Greg while they were both students at USC. They have been married for 47 years and have two sons and seven grandchildren who all live nearby.

Kaye treasures being part of the sisterhood of CWC. Over the past 25 years, she has formed many wonderful friendships and truly enjoys Living the Volunteer Spirit.

My husband, Todd, and I moved to Chapin in 2024, excited to trade the cold winters of the North Carolina mountains for life by the lake. We’ve loved settling into the community and getting to know such wonderful neighbors.

I’m the proud mother of two children—a daughter who lives in Boone, NC, and a son who lives in Memphis, TN. A very special moment for our family was celebrating my daughter’s wedding right here in Chapin at our neighborhood clubhouse in December 2024.

We also share our home with our very spoiled miniature dachshund, Frankie, who will be celebrating his 13th birthday in the spring of 2026.

I enjoy a wide variety of activities, but spending time with family and friends is always at the top of the list. I look forward to meeting more members of the community and making many great memories here in Chapin

Lorraine and her husband, Scott, retired in 2021 and moved to Chapin after falling in love with Lake Murray. The proud mother of three grown daughters, Lorraine is passionate about giving back and enjoys participating in community service events whenever her health permits.

Gay and her husband moved to Chapin in 2024 to be close to their only grandchild, Lily. It has been such a joy to be so close to family.
As a former international flight attendant and travel agent, Gay and her husband, Dan, have traveled extensively. Dan is a retired US Secret Service agent and also corporate investigations manager for a bank.
Hanging out with family and trips to the mountains are their pleasures.

Linda and her husband, Rob, relocated to South Carolina in 2013. Together, they share a large family that includes six children and two grandsons. They frequently travel together—balancing trips for Rob's work, personal adventures, and visits to see their family. When she isn't on the road, Linda loves nothing more than relaxing at home with her old dog and watching the peaceful lake go by.

As a dedicated member of the Chapin Woman’s Club, Linda has always found immense fulfillment in giving back to her community and building lifelong friendships along the way.

Kathy and her husband, Ron, relocated to South Carolina from Kansas City eight years ago, choosing the Timberlake community in Chapin to be close to their daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren. They also have a son who still resides in Kansas City.

Kathy enjoyed a successful 35-year career in the furniture industry. She began in residential furniture, managing a La-Z-Boy retail store, before transitioning into commercial contract furniture. She retired two years ago from Business Interiors by Staples, where she dedicated over 13 years of service.

An avid decorator, Kathy loves working on her home and always has a never-ending project list on hand. When she isn't transforming her space, she enjoys traveling, playing golf, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Cheryl and her husband, Brian, relocated to beautiful Chapin in 2024 from

Washington State. Married for 36 years, they are the proud parents of three grown

children—one daughter and two sons. Cheryl and Brian first fell in love with

South Carolina during their many visits to Clemson University, where their

daughter attended school. They knew they wanted to live by a lake, they

discovered Lake Murray, and knew they had found their perfect home.

Cheryl graduated from Washington State University with a BA in

Business/Marketing and enjoyed a successful career in technology as a Project

Manager for Bank of America’s Information Technology division. She later chose

to retire early to dedicate her time to raising her children, and eventually went

back to work for Starbucks.

Since joining the Chapin Woman’s Club, Cheryl has loved being an active part of

the organization. She has thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many wonderful women

with amazing talents and backgrounds, and she loves participating in club events

that raise money to give back to the community. In her free time, Cheryl stays

active by going boating, riding bikes, and jogging—and she is currently working

on adding golf to that list! Her greatest joy, however, remains spending quality

time with her beloved family and friends.

My husband, Mark, and I recently relocated to Chapin, South Carolina, after spending our entire lives in New Jersey. We made the move to be closer to our daughter and her wife, who recently adopted a baby, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be an active grandmother and spend time babysitting my grandson.

I am a retired special education teacher and have always been passionate about helping others learn and grow. In retirement, I continue to stay involved in my community through volunteering, which I greatly enjoy. I recently joined the Chapin Women’s Club as a way to connect with others and contribute to the community.

I enjoy staying active and pursuing a variety of interests, including practicing the piano, yoga, strength training, cycling on my Peloton bike, and shopping. Family, community involvement, and maintaining an active lifestyle are important parts of my life.

As I begin this new chapter in Chapin, I look forward to building friendships, serving my community, and creating lasting memories with my family.

I moved to Chapin in 2022 after retiring as a school psychologist in Southern California, where I spent over 30 years in education as a teacher, counselor, psychologist, district coordinator, and adjunct professor. I hold a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus on Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California.

Since joining CWC in 2022, I’ve enjoyed serving as CSP Chair for Health and Wellness and now as Club Secretary. While I miss my bike rides along the Pacific, I love life on Lake Murray! In addition to CWC, I’m honored  to volunteer with Lighthouse for Life and other faith-based service opportunities . In my free time, I  enjoy spending time with my husband, John, as well as participating in  BSF,  book clubs, golf, cycling, and anything on the water. I feel truly blessed to call Chapin home and to be part of such a wonderful group of women who love to serve our community.

A native Texan, Pam is a retired middle school librarian whose life has been enriched by living in Venezuela, Texas, Florida, Maryland, and now Ballentine, South Carolina. Along the way, she has developed a deep appreciation for people, places, and lifelong learning.

She is the proud mother of two sons—one in Columbia and the other in Greenville—and the devoted grandmother of four adored granddaughters, who bring endless joy to her life.

An active member of her community, she is passionate about volunteering with Meals on Wheels and serving on the Scholarship Committee. When she’s not giving back, she enjoys reading, creating beautiful needlepoint projects, and has  a deep love for playing Mah Jongg. Whether through service, family, or friendships, she believes in making meaningful connections and embracing each new chapter with enthusiasm.

I moved here in 2021 from San Jose, California following retirement. I have enjoyed a successful career as an executive with International Fortune 500 Technology Companies with experience in Executive leadership, Finance, Marketing and Global Supply chain management. Following retirement from corporate life, I started a health and wellness business which turned out to be a successful venture providing a working knowledge of the challenges and rewards of small business.

We moved to South Carolina following Covid and never looked back. I have a BS Degree in Chemistry and a MBA in Business Management. We love Chapin and enjoy lake life and the new friends here. I enjoy cycling, travel, ceramics, the outdoors, community service and golf.

Judy's path to South Carolina began when she and her husband were transferred by AT&T. She retired in 2019 and settled at the lake in Night Harbor.

Judy has been an active member of Chapin Women's Club since 2019; she served as the club's chaplain for 5 years. Her commitment to service is best captured in her own words: “I enjoy serving by feeding others."

Having raised six independent adult children, and now enjoying time with 16 grandchildren, Judy embraces every chapter of life with a passion for music and travel – a hobby that has taken her to all 50 states.

Kathy Mellette has been an active member of the Chapin Woman's Club for the past five years and enjoys contributing to the organization's mission of service, friendship, and community involvement. She and her husband have proudly called Chapin home for the past 12 years and recently celebrated 40 years of marriage.

Kathy values the strong sense of community that makes Chapin such a special place to live. Through her involvement with the Chapin Woman's Club, she enjoys connecting with fellow members and supporting projects that enhance and strengthen the local community.

One of Kathy's favorite creative outlets is designing floral arrangements and crafting a variety of decorative wreaths. She enjoys sharing her talents with others and finds joy in creating beautiful pieces that bring warmth and cheer to homes and community events.

Kathy appreciates the friendships and opportunities for service that the Chapin Woman's Club provides and looks forward to continuing to support the club's efforts to make a positive impact in the Chapin community.

Dorothy enjoyed a successful career with the State of New York, culminating in her role as Director of Application Design, Development, and User Testing for the Department of Taxation and Finance. After retiring in 2003 and consulting for five more years, she and her husband set out to explore the South in a used RV. Their travels led them to Lake Murray, where they fell in love with the region, sold the RV, and built a home in Prosperity.

Now splitting their time as snowbirds, they spend seven months in South Carolina and five months in Ballston Spa, New York, close to their daughter and two grown granddaughters. Outside of family time, Dorothy fills her days with golf, kayaking, gardening, live theater, concerts, and the company of her two sweet Samoyed dogs.

Helen Nazzaro joined the Chapin Woman’s Club in May 2026, having moved to the Chapin area in 2024 to be closer to her family in Lexington and Irmo.

Helen spent her career as a Major Account Executive in Medical Diagnostics. For Helen, the most rewarding aspect of her profession was knowing that her work made a difference in the lives of others.

That focus on helping people carries over into her personal life through community service and a dedication to supporting veterans. In her free time, she is an avid crafter who enjoys working on stained glass projects.

Helen and her husband, a Georgia Tech Engineer, have been married for 44 years. They have two children and two grandchildren, all of whom live nearby in the Columbia area.

Ruth moved here five years ago, to enjoy life on the water. Her busy home includes her wonderful nonagenarian mother and a lovable, big puppy. When she’s not enjoying the waterfront, you can find Ruth outdoors hiking and biking, tending to her garden, or working on her latest craft project.

Lytha Nicholson joined the Chapin Woman’s Club three years ago, searching for meaningful ways to give back and connect with her new community. She found that and so much more within Chapin Woman's Club’s welcoming fellowship. An avid artist, Lytha brings a vibrant touch of creativity to the group—most notably painting the metal butterfly that now "flies" in the Butterfly Garden. She channels her talents into creative fundraising efforts, leads the annual "Paint and Sip" event, and finds her work on the Scholarship Committee deeply rewarding. For Lytha, the absolute best part of CWC is the incredible network of wonderful women she has met and collaborated with.

Before retiring, Lytha enjoyed a successful career in real estate that took her from the Finger Lakes of New York to Marco Island, Florida, and Blue Ridge, Georgia. Today, she happily resides on Lake Murray with her husband, Ron, their two miniature schnauzers, and their cat. In her free time, she loves enjoying lake life, gardening, and reading.

Dianne and her husband, Carl, moved from Colorado to South Carolina in 2021 along with their two daughters. Their oldest daughter serves the community as an EMT in the Columbia area, while their youngest graduated from USC and is now serving in the Air Force in Tucson, Arizona. Dianne loves the area, her home, and especially the wonderful friends and acquaintances she has made since relocating.

Karen Paloni has been a member of the Chapin Woman's Club

since 2025. I am originally from Delaware and that is where I met

my husband. We have been married for 33 years (Aug 2025) and

have two grown children and two grandchildren. We moved to

South Carolina about 25 years ago and have lived in Bluffton, Mt.

Pleasant, Irmo and now Chapin. My background is very diverse,

but I would say my main career was a dancer/performer and

dance instructor. I have also been a pharmacy tech, real estate

agent and in property management. In my spare time I enjoy

dancing – Zumba, line dancing, reading, walking my dog Archie

and spending time with friends.

I feel very fortunate to have the time and opportunity to improve

and give back to my community while at the same time having

fun. I look forward to serving as our clubs’ 2 nd Vice President for

the 2026-2028 term.

I am a wife, mother, and a teacher who has lived in Chapin for 23 years. I taught Chemistry at Chapin high school for 15 years and retired from teaching in the classroom in 2020. I am currently a Homebound teacher for District 5 where I work with students who have extended periods they cannot attend school. I have 3 kids and 1 grandchild. My children were all raised in Chapin and attended District 5 Schools.

I am originally from Greenwich, Connecticut where I grew up before moving to SC to attend Clemson University for my undergraduate program in science. I moved back north to work for PepsiCo and General Food as a Chemist. I completed my MAT in teaching at Manhattanville College prior to starting my teaching career in Bedford, NY. I met my husband from England in Connecticut and when I brought him to meet my SC family he loved it in the south. We moved to Irmo with our young family a few years prior to moving to Chapin.

I have been a member of the Chapin Woman’s club for about 5 years now and have really enjoyed being part of this incredible group of women who are extremely focused on giving back to our community.

My husband and I moved to Chapin last December and am so happy to have connected with the Womens Club!  My work background is varied from lab tech to court reporting to business owner, which centered on collecting and reporting oil well data to the industry. I completed my BA with a degree in teaching, but moved on to volunteer work in P.E.O., Jr. League, CASA (Child Advocate), Petroleum Wives, and Kiwanis, also serving as president of a couple. I have chaired several fundraising events as well as community education functions, resulting in improving my Word & Excel skills. We have one son who presented me with three beautiful grandchildren. One grandson lives in Columbia, thus our move to SC. Spare time is spent playing bridge, gardening, shopping, learning mah-jongg and taking care of our assortment of animals.  We traveled from CA to SC with 2 dogs, a cat, 3 rabbits, 3 chickens and a snake all in the back of an SUV. It was a stinkin’ long 3 day trip!

My husband and I relocated to Chapin in the summer of 2025 from Southern California.

Shortly after arriving, Tricia Kling-Bauer encouraged me to join the Chapin Woman's

Club, and I am so grateful she did. Through the club, I have met incredible women who

welcomed me into the community with open arms and helped make Chapin feel like home.

After graduating from the University of Southern California, I worked in the event

planning industry. Once I became a mom, I chose to focus on raising my two children while

dedicating my time to volunteer work and serving on boards for their schools, various

philanthropies, and the National Charity League.

In my free time, I enjoy playing golf and pickleball, spending time on the lake, and being a

proud mom to my two black labs. Now that my husband and I are empty-nesters, I am

especially looking forward to traveling and exploring new destinations.

Gloria and her husband, Chris, retired to Chapin in 2024 from Long Island.  They love Chapin and all that  lake living has to offer.  Since they've moved here, they have have enjoyed kayaking, boating, bike riding, and just plain floating in the lake.  They also have a dog and 2 cats.

Wendy and her husband, Ron, relocated to Chapin nearly three years ago from Iowa, successfully fulfilling their long-held dream of lake living and warmer weather. For the past 20 years, they have owned Petland in Iowa City, a business they hope to retire from within the next year or two. One of the greatest joys of their work has been partnering with special needs groups and helping match families with the perfect pets. Reflecting their commitment to integrity, their business was honored with the Better Business Bureau’s Iowa Torch Award for Business Ethics in 2026.

Married for 38 years, Wendy and Ron are the proud parents of two children: their daughter, Emily, who is a physician, and their son, Andrew, who is currently in medical school. In their free time, they enjoy boating, water skiing, golfing, and volunteering at their church.

Wendy joined the Chapin Woman’s Club in January 2026 and has already jumped into service, recently becoming a mentor for a college student through the club. She is thrilled to be a part of CWC and looks forward to building new friendships while continuing to serve our wonderful community.

Kathryn (Kathy) Taylor joined the Chapin Woman’s Club in 2025.   She relocated to Chapin in April 2024 from Pennsylvania, following a move for her husband Michael’s career as a physician. She is quickly embracing the area and is particularly fond of the milder South Carolina winters.

Before enjoying her well-deserved retirement in February 2025, Kathy spent her career in medicine and surgical practice management.  Now you can find her diving into her favorite creative hobbies, including crochet and working on intricate Cricut paper crafts.

Kathy and Michael have three sons—Patrick, Torrence, and Lorenzo—and are blessed with three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a sweet puppy named Tallulah.

Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Nora Thome attended Arizona State University on a full academic scholarship. Following her marriage, she embarked on a journey across the country, relocating frequently to support her husband’s career in the space industry. While their travels took them to many unique places, they never quite made it to the Deep South, ultimately settling in Portland, Oregon, for 23 wonderful years.

In 2018, Nora made the move from Portland to Chapin, South Carolina. When her daughter and precious granddaughter decided to trade Oregon’s rainy skies for the beautiful Southern sunshine, Nora—by then a retired widow—happily packed her bags to follow them.

Nora spent the majority of her career in the real estate industry, serving as an Escrow Officer, a Loan Officer, and an Assistant Sales Manager for a large builder. She always found deep fulfillment in helping people achieve their dream of homeownership, consistently striving to make the buying process as smooth and pain-free as possible.

Though the arrival of Covid shortly after her move brought a period of isolation, Nora made what she calls "the best decision I ever made" by joining the Chapin Woman’s Club in 2024. Looking for new friendships and drawn to the club’s incredible community outreach, she found an amazing circle of friends who even encouraged her to dust off her golf clubs and get back out on the course.

Nora is now proudly entering her third year serving as CWC’s Social Coordinator, where she loves bringing members together and fostering the same welcoming community that embraced her.

After a rewarding 20-year career as the Director of Educational Applications and Training in a large public school district in northern New Jersey, I retired and relocated to beautiful Chapin in January 2026. I have happily traded keyboards and Smartboards for the tranquility of lake life but am happy to bring my tech skills to Chapin Woman’s Club, where I’m helping to manage the website and post our social media events

Together with Joe, we feel truly blessed in our new house on the water, where many mornings and evenings are spent on the deck enjoying the local wildlife—particularly our resident blue heron, who visits nearly every day. I am loving the process of settling into this wonderful community and have been thrilled to dive into activities, including yoga, book club, and making new friends.

I am the proud mother of two daughters who live in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and I adore my three grandchildren. I look forward to getting to know more of you and becoming an active part of this vibrant community.

Carolyn and her husband, Gary, have lived in Chapin since 2024.  They are retirees originally from New Jersey and more recently from Utah.  They have one son.  Carolyn enjoys boating, hiking, swimming, and traveling.

After spending a lifetime in suburban Chicago, my husband and I retired 3 years ago in search of warmer weather. I've found the Chapin Women's club to be a great place to meet wonderful, energetic, ambitious women who care about the community. Helping support so many wonderful programs has been a blessing.

My husband and I enjoy traveling and finding new places to explore in South Carolina. We have two sons, one who currently lives in Midland, Texas, and another who lives with us here in SC. Most of my career was in the retail management, so now I enjoy anything outdoors and traveling.

Professional Experience

Kathleen A. Vespa has dedicated more than four decades to higher education administration. Throughout her career, she specialized in the development and implementation of career and technical education programs focused on occupational training. Her expertise extends to designing and managing budgets for both federal and state initiatives, as well as overseeing federally funded grant programs. These responsibilities included preparing monthly narrative and fiscal reports to ensure compliance and transparency.

Ms. Vespa also played a significant role in writing and securing federal grants, resulting in millions of dollars in funding awarded to colleges. These grants enabled institutions to acquire essential equipment and create faculty positions, thereby enhancing the quality and reach of educational programs.

Educational Background

 BA in English, University of Illinois

 MS in Education, Southern Illinois University

 Accepted into Ph.D. Program in Education, University of Illinois (not completed)

My name is Kelly and I enjoy spending my time with my family, traveling, reading and exploring all that South Carolina has to offer. I joined the Chapin Woman's Club a few years ago and have really enjoyed getting to know the kind women who do so much to help our community.

I'm also known as Knittin Whitten due to my love of that craft. I enjoy sharing my passion with interested members at the Coffee Shelf each Tuesday. Let me know if you are interested in joining us for good conversation and some yarn therapy.

My other passion is Mahjongg. Pam Lichty and I coordinate a group that plays each Wednesday. I also teach classes for those who want to learn this wonderful game.

I'm known as one of the club’s “thechies"" and as a result work on the tech side for most fundraisers. I have a wonderful team to help me develop and maintain this website for the club and public.

I moved to Chapin in 2024 after 30+ years as a financial executive and am embracing lakeside living. I thrive being outside, as I try to walk 4 miles a day and swim for 30 minutes. I’m learning to captain and manage our pontoon boat and enjoy beautiful Lake Murray. I also love to dance and enjoy all kinds of live music.

I share my life journey with my husband and high school sweetheart Tommy. Our grown daughter and her husband live in Charleston, SC and we are expecting our first grandchild in February. Family and relationships are my top priority. I am one of four sisters and we are extremely close. Tommy and I feel like we have found the perfect retirement spot and have enjoyed the new friends and community of Chapin.

I bring more than 37 years of law enforcement experience, including 28 years with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, where I retired as a Captain, and nine years with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department as a crime analyst. I also served 25 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Following my law enforcement career, I worked with SCRA and SRC before establishing my own consulting company, where I spent seven years managing law enforcement software implementation projects.

My experience includes narcotics investigations at the federal, state, and local levels, missing persons investigations, and helping develop a State Intelligence Fusion Center while supervising both sworn and civilian personnel. I have also contributed extensively to professional training, teaching for five years with the South Carolina Narcotics Commanders School before leading the program for two additional years and have been invited to speak for multiple agencies on topics including narcotics investigations,

missing persons cases, and intelligence fusion center operations.

Today, while enjoying retirement (especially time on the golf course), I stay actively involved in community service. I’m a proud member of the Chapin Woman’s Club and currently serve as 2nd Vice President of Fundraising, where I enjoy helping bring people together to support local causes and make a positive  difference.

I possess a doctorate in Educational Leadership and retired from public education after serving for 32 years. I taught at all levels over the course of my career from elementary school, and finally as an adjunct professor for Masters’ programs. I was a teacher, trainer, and also an assistant principal, principal and central office personnel focusing on federal programs and grants for all the schools in the district.

I relocated from Houston, TX in 2013 to Chapin to be of help to my son and daughter-in-law with my grand girls.

I am a social butterfly who values relationships and wants to enjoy life. Initiating, creating and being in service to others in need are some of my happy places and spaces!

I hold a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in psychology from CSULA. 

I have 22 years of experience in the restaurant industry and 23 years working in casinos, I also co-owned a small business for 11 years. 

After retiring in 2021, I moved from San Jose, CA to Chapin, SC. 

My hobbies include ceramics, golf, and Mah Jongg.