Connie Chapman (surname Boudreau) of Rockwood (formerly of Tillsonburg), celebrates her birthday on Halloween.
“It seems it was a natural choice to have the nickname ‘“Boo-ey”’ bestowed on her,” said said Shari Lovell, daughter of “boo-ey”.
“Boo-ey” was born in Campbellton, New Brunswick on Oct. 31, 1920 and moved to Toronto in 1928.
Her best pal was Betty Cloutier and they were known as “Booey and Clooey” to their closest friends.
It might be interesting to think of the nicknames given to friends and family members or pet names for yourself. It is amazing how many people have them.
In her late teens “Boo-ey” met Cliff “Chappy” Chapman and they were married for over 60 years living in Toronto and Tillsonburg.
“Chappy’s” family was in the standardbred horse racing industry. Cliff Chapman Sr. and Johnny are in the Horse Racing Hall of Fame as drivers and Cliff, Jr. was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in the Builder’s category for his contributions to the sport. He was the owner/editor of the Oldest Turf Journal in North America “The Canadian Sportsman”.
“Chappy’s” brother Carl was a thoroughbred horse trainer and one year he borrowed a set of jockey silks for Booey to wear to a Halloween costume party.
She was the size of a minute with an 18 inch waist so the silks fit her as though they were made for her.
“Booey” could probably still fit into those silks today thanks to a lifetime of aerobic exercise starting with Jack LaLanne in the 1950s.
“She will be celebrating her 93rd birthday this Halloween with her family. She hasn’t decided what costume she will wear. Now, if we could just put our finger on some jockey silks,” said Lovell.
