Frances Arcadia Willoughby St. John was born on July 2, 1897, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Lettie Willoughby St. John, a direct descendant of the first Lord Willoughby and one of the first women to graduate from a medical college. She was also an artist and magazine illustrator.^[1][2]

Frances A.W. St. John graduated from Bryn Mawr College^[2] and University of Pennsylvania and took graduate work at the University of Toulouse, France, specializing in French, Psychology and Anthropology.^[1][3]

After graduation she joined the staff of the psychological clinic at the University of Pennsylvania.^[2]

She moved to Nevada in 1924 and lived at 576 Ridge Street, Reno, Nevada. In 1925 she married Benjamin Franklin Chappelle (1885–1948).^[1][4]

She was Assistant in Psychology at University of Nevada. She was State president of the Nevada League of Women Voters.^[1] She conducted private classes for the Young Women's Christian Association.^[2]

She was a member of Twentieth Century Club, League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi.^[1]

Frances Chappelle died on September 6, 1936, Reno, Nevada, 5 days after the birth of her only daughter. Another daughter died at birth in 1934.^[5] She is buried at Chapel of the Chimes, Columbarium and Mausoleum Oakland, California.^[1]