Obituary for Eleanore H. McChesney
Eleanore H. McChesney, 84, of Coatesville, PA, passed away peacefully of natural causes November 15, 2020, attended by close family.
A bright and dedicated student, Eleanore was valedictorian of the 1953 graduating class at Scott High School. In 1958, she earned her Bachelors’ degree from West Chester State Teachers College. That same year, she married Dr. Charles Thomas McChesney, Jr. (dec.). The couple built a home in the Chester County countryside in 1964, where Eleanore lived until her passing.
Eleanore was the first child of Ruth Rebecca Mowday Taylor, whose family nurtured her in early life. Growing up, she was especially close to her aunt Jane Houck Rhoads (dec.) and cousins Bill Houck (dec.), Patty (Dodd), Suzy (Engle) and Jerry (Edris). Eleanore is survived by brothers James Earl Taylor and William Barry Taylor, who remained close throughout her lifetime, and children Jenny McChesney (Billy Lawrence), and Thomas A. McChesney. Eleanore and Tom’s nieces and nephews include Jim’s children Suzanne, Stephanie (Rice) and Sharon (Blake). On Tom’s side are Joseph Pew, Mary Jane Grace, Richard Pew, Todd Pew; Wendy Alkire, Rob McChesney; and Alan McChesney, Jr. She will be warmly remembered by grandsons Walker Lawrence and Thomas McChesney, Jr.
She shared husband Tom’s love of the arts and classical music, especially opera. The couple traveled, making several tours of the British Isles, and taking the trip of a lifetime on the famed Orient Express. Continuing her academic career in midlife, Eleanore found fellowship in her student cohort at West Chester State’s English department. While exploring a love for literature and language, she made enduring friendships and earned her Master of Arts degree in 1983. Her family and friends will remember her beauty, extraordinary intelligence, and unfailing generosity.
Arrangements are pending for a celebration of her life in spring 2021. In Eleanore’s memory, please support your chosen veterans’ and animal welfare causes.
A bright and dedicated student, Eleanore was valedictorian of the 1953 graduating class at Scott High School. In 1958, she earned her Bachelors’ degree from West Chester State Teachers College. That same year, she married Dr. Charles Thomas McChesney, Jr. (dec.). The couple built a home in the Chester County countryside in 1964, where Eleanore lived until her passing.
Eleanore was the first child of Ruth Rebecca Mowday Taylor, whose family nurtured her in early life. Growing up, she was especially close to her aunt Jane Houck Rhoads (dec.) and cousins Bill Houck (dec.), Patty (Dodd), Suzy (Engle) and Jerry (Edris). Eleanore is survived by brothers James Earl Taylor and William Barry Taylor, who remained close throughout her lifetime, and children Jenny McChesney (Billy Lawrence), and Thomas A. McChesney. Eleanore and Tom’s nieces and nephews include Jim’s children Suzanne, Stephanie (Rice) and Sharon (Blake). On Tom’s side are Joseph Pew, Mary Jane Grace, Richard Pew, Todd Pew; Wendy Alkire, Rob McChesney; and Alan McChesney, Jr. She will be warmly remembered by grandsons Walker Lawrence and Thomas McChesney, Jr.
She shared husband Tom’s love of the arts and classical music, especially opera. The couple traveled, making several tours of the British Isles, and taking the trip of a lifetime on the famed Orient Express. Continuing her academic career in midlife, Eleanore found fellowship in her student cohort at West Chester State’s English department. While exploring a love for literature and language, she made enduring friendships and earned her Master of Arts degree in 1983. Her family and friends will remember her beauty, extraordinary intelligence, and unfailing generosity.
Arrangements are pending for a celebration of her life in spring 2021. In Eleanore’s memory, please support your chosen veterans’ and animal welfare causes.