Longtime Pacific Palisades resident Estelle Chapman passed away at home on December 1. Estelle was born in Festus, Missouri, to Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Scott Wolff. The family of seven girls and two boys moved to Kansas City when she was beginning high school. Her father practiced dentistry as a profession, but also had a law degree, and was elected to the U.S. Congress while Estelle was in high school. His passion for politics was no doubt what gave Estelle her active, enthusiastic love for and involvement in the political process. She attended five Republican conventions, numerous senatorial hearings in Washington, D.C., and four presidential inaugurations, beginning with Ronald Reagan. Estelle was an adventurer, a pioneer and an entrepreneur. She was the only one of her sisters to leave the comfort and security of her home in Kansas City to set out fresh in her marriage to William Edward Bredberg for the great unknown of California. In 1946, they purchased a residential lot on Castellammare Drive in the Palisades and built their dream home. Estelle also became an active Palisades resident. She loved to dance, and dancing was always an important part of her life. She often said she married Bill for love and his dancing talents. The jitterbug was their specialty and they entered and won many contests together. She taught dancing at the Egremont French and English school in Encino, Arthur Murray’s in Beverly Hills and eventually at her own dance studio in West L.A. Estelle is best known for her 45 successful years in real estate and for all the happy families for whom she helped find just the right home. Real estate was more than just a business for Estelle, and her clients realized this about her. Many of the families she worked with were second-generation buyers and sellers, and all were her friends for life. Estelle is survived by her daughter Jacqueline Williams (husband Bill) of Pacific Palisades; son Will Bredberg (wife Sandy) of Mar Vista; grandchildren Rob Perkins (wife Mitali) of Boston, Willie Bredberg (wife Kim) of Mar Vista, Laura Brittain (husband David) of Pacific Palisades and Tracey Lane (husband Brian) of Mar Vista; nine great-grandchildren who loved spending time with their GaGa; her sister Dorothy Pierce of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and her sister-in-law Alpha Wolff of Kansas City. There are also 30 nieces and nephews, most of whom reside in the Midwest. Estelle’s beautiful smile and inner joy always reflected her amazing faith and love for her Lord, Jesus Christ. She lived her faith and made sure her family knew Jesus and His love, as well. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be given in the name of “Chapman Memorial,” Mercy Ships, International., P.O. Box 2020, Lindale, Texas 75771. Or, visit www.mercyships.org.
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