Amy Marilyn Chagnon, 88, a retired school teacher and genealogist, died Sunday, October 19, 2014 at North Bay Manor. She was the wife of Albert E. Chagnon. They had been married for 68 years.
Born in Smithfield, she was the daughter of the late Edward “Ted” and Eliza “Liza” (Wilding) Sugden. She had lived in Smithfield since 1947 and had previously lived in Woonsocket.
She is survived by her son, Steven E. Chagnon and his wife, Donna of Smithfield, her grandchildren: Steven E. Chagnon and his wife, Laura of Johnston and Dawn M. Hill and her husband, Jason of Florida and her great grandson, Martin Chagnon. She was the mother of the late Linda M. Chagnon and half-sister of the late Alice Munson.
She was a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints since August 1984.
She taught Social Studies in Smithfield for twenty years and upon retiring became a genealogist. She received her degree in Social Studies and a Master’s degree in Education from RI College. She was an accredited Genealogist of Brigham Young University and a Certified Genealogist of the national Genealogy Society. She was a past President and secretary of the RI Genealogy Society and a member of the American French Genealogy Society and a member of The Mayflower society. She did genealogy for organization and individuals throughout the United States and specialized in New England genealogy.
During WWII she worked for The War Production board organizing collections of material needed for the war such as metals and paper. After work she spent her evenings as a Red Cross Nurses Aid working in local hospitals where there was a shortage of doctors and nurses. She was awarded a certificate for the many times she donated blood.
Her funeral service will be held Friday at 11:30am in the ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Park, Johnston. Visitation Thursday 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to Alzheimers Association, 245 Waterman Street, Suite 306, Providence, RI 02906.