As she left public life, Gladys and Frank bought a villa in Italy, La Ragnaia, near Florence. The following was shared by Mary "Mimi" McKeever from her memories, I've made a few modifications for additional details.:

First of all, my late husband was a physician in the U.S. Army serving at Camp Darby, Leghorn (Livorno) Italy. Because her late husband, Frank Chapman, was retired from the U.S. Marine Corps, Gladys was entitled to Medical Care at the Army Hospital at Livorno.

Col. Joseph McKeever was an Internist and she was his patient. Joe adored Gladys. When we knew she was coming for an appointment, we would go to the Post Exchange and "stock up" on paper products for Gladys. She was so beautiful! She looked like a school girl. Her brown hair was always parted in the middle. The web site has several photos showing this style. She wore knee socks often and a plaid skirt. Her niece accompanied her on her visits. Her name was Jane. We were invited to "La Ragnaia" several times prior to her death. This is from my memory of various things Gladys shared with Joe and me. She and Frank crossed the ocean via Italian Line ships. They would purchase two adjoining cabins. One for wardrobe and one for them. Her favorite ship was the "Leonardo da Vinci". They spent winters in New York. It was never expected the Frank would die first.

Gladys was making a routine visit to her heart doctor in Houston. She had just had her bath and was anticipating the daily call from Frank when the news came that he had passed away suddenly. With her own health issues, it was unthinkable that this situation was presented to Gladys. She toughed it out with the help of her sister and her family. Roma was also married to a retired military man. They lived in five rooms of a large castle not too far from "La Ragnaia". Their daughter, Jane, was a great comfort to Gladys. Their last name was "Slaughter". It is quite possible that Jane is still living. A young lady named Estelle McGowan fancied herself a protege of Gladys. She worked very hard under the wings of both Gladys and Roma. I attended her singing debut in Florence. Estelle was from Baltimore, Md. She would be perhaps in her 50's or early 60's now. As I mentioned earlier, Joe McKeever was devoted to Gladys.

We were in Florence at Harry's Bar on the 4th of July Holiday . . . when we started talking about Gladys. Joe called the home to see if she was OK. Joe did not speak Italian, When he returned to our table, he was under the impression something was wrong. I called back. Sergio (I think) the long time man servant told me Gladys was in the Irish Hospital in Florence. We took a taxi to the hospital. The facility was small and staffed by Irish nuns/nurses. Gladys was in a large sunny room. Her bed was placed by the window. As we arrived, some crisis happened . . . and the nurses were relieved to see a doctor drop in. It was so sad. Gladys begged, "Let me go. . . let me go . . ."

Another lady friend and I sat with our heads bowed and tears of hearfelt sadness poured down our faces. Joe brought Gladys out of the crisis and stabilized her. This was a Saturday. It was determined that on Monday Joe would bring the American Ambulance to Florence (about 1 hour trip) and bring Gladys to Livorno. Gladys had not wanted to bother Joe on a holiday weekend! It was pure chance that we were in Florence that day. It was well after dark when we left the Irish Hospital. Gladys went to be with Frank as she wished before Monday. Relatives came from the U.S. for the memorial service. Estelle was traumatized by the cremation she witnessed.

I remember a step-daughter named Buffy that was part of a "Mike and Buffy" show. Do you know if the, "Buffy" , step-daughter, was the child of Frank Chapman? The Mike of the Mike & Buffy show was a well known name. I have often wondered what happened to "La Ragnaia". Gladys lived there at her death. Carmen was her favorite roll. She said there were two recordings. One good, one bad. Prior to his death in 1996, I searched high and low for one. I am going to Italy in April. Out of sentiment I "Googled" La Ragnaia!

My mother was also born in 1900. She was a piano student in Chicago and knew Gladys. They lived at the "Three Arts Club" at 1300 N Dearborn. Gladys was a deep Contralto. Her speaking voice was musical. I think of her often. She was a prime example of a strong woman perhaps before her time.

For many years we kept and treasured a bottle of red wine from the vines at "La Ragnaia". It was a gift from Gladys. Odd memories come forth: She adored Gucci loafers. Leonard Bernstein had conducted in Florence and there was a spontaneous photo of Gladys - reaching up to him (as she often did) with her right hand on his cheek. She signed her "notes" or letters, "warmest regards" - a term I have often used since. Of Jane, Gladys stated that Jane had one great love (in the past) and had never connected again. You have such interesting relatives!

Buffy came to Florence for the memorial service.

They lived until Franks' death a few years before her own death. She died on July 7th, 1969 in Florence, Italy, at age 68 due to her life long heart condition.

She was cremated and her ashes were interred with Frank's in the Chapman Family gravesite in Brookside Cemetery, East Side Plot 110, Englewood, New Jersey. She is listed as Gladys Chapman.

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