Obituary of Elizabeth Cheney

ELIZABETH ANN CHENEY MCALLEN- Betty Cheney, 94, passed away December 18, 2016 with her daughter Barbara by her side. Born in Albany, New York, as Elizabeth Ann Northrop, the seventh of eight children to Herbert & Maybelle Northrop. She was the beloved mother to five children spread far and wide: Arthur Cheney Jr. (Becki) of Tennessee; twin, Janet Griffin of North Carolina; twin, James Cheney (Molly)of Alaska; Judith Harris (Charlie) of Hawaii; and Barbara Yoder (Alan) of Texas. She was grandmother to 11 grandchildren Ginger Cheney, Julie Donohue, Lee Griffin, Suzanne Griffin, Joanna Shake, Christopher Harris, Seth Harris, Scott Harris, Tanya Thompson, Trey Bowyer and Austin Yoder. and 10 great-grandchildren: Connor, Abagail, Hope, Noah, Clara, Henry, Samantha, Madeleine, Skyler and Liam. Special recognition to her caregiver and close friend, Rosie who mom called her angel. Betty married Arthur Charles Upton Cheney, and they raised five children in Schaghticoke, New York. They owned and operated Cheney Appliance in New York and then later in Avon Park, Florida: Food For Thought Health Foods. Working alongside her husband in the businesses, she still found time for her own interests. She was the original pioneer woman, a wonderful housekeeper and cook, well known for her homemade breads, soups and apple pie. She was proficient in gardening, preserving foods, chopping down trees and nursing others with her old-fashioned remedies. Thrifty, she loved finding bargains at thrift stores. She enjoyed playing the harmonica, the fiddle and even the clarinet. Her love language was in spending time with people and giving them her handmade gifts. She loved animals & children, especially babies, and had a favorite milk cow, Daisy and a little poodle, FiFi. She was active in her church Pathfinders and camporees. And because of her love for the Lord, each day you could find her sitting quietly with her Bible. She told her grandson, Chris, that she hoped Jesus would come in the middle of the night because it would be some wonderful fireworks! We look forward to seeing her soon in heaven! A memorial service will be held at a later date. Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.