Eleanora L. Cheney of Marlton, formerly of Haddonfield, school educator and philanthropist, passed away on Nov. 12 at the age of 97.
Born in 1923 to the late Guy Darrell and Alice Augusta (McCoy) Stevenson, she was the beloved wife of the late Daniel Cheney, devoted mother of Patricia Walter and the late Nancy Dinsmore and Jon Dinsmore. Eleanora was also the adored grandmother of nine, great- grandmother of 25 and great-great-grandmother of four.
Mrs. Cheney graduated from Rutgers Camden with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education in 1966. She was hired at Lenape Regional High School district by Kiki Konstantinos to teach freshman English. After earning her master’s in Student Personnel Services at Glassboro State College in 1971, Ellie chose to move with 30 other staff members to a new location, Shawnee High School, where she taught 10th grade honors English. Ellie later moved into counseling, remaining there until her retirement in 1988.
Mrs. Cheney was a co-founder & trustee of DanEllie Philanthropic Foundation serving the less fortunate until 2014. She was also the owner of Another World of Travel in Marlton, from 1984 to 1986. Eleanora additionally established a scholarship at Cherry Hill West High School in memory of her son, Jon W. Dinsmore, who died of a brain tumor in 1996.
Mrs. Cheney was a 60-year member of Haddonfield United Methodist Church, where she was a member of the adult Sunday School Class and an Administrative Counselor from 1996 to 1999. Eleanora also served on the board of directors of the Fellowship House in Camden from 1995 to 2000.
Mrs. Cheney’s hobbies were skiing, sailing, traveling and listening to music. In her spare time Eleanora also enjoyed spending time with all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her family will receive friends on Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in the Sanctuary of the Haddonfield United Methodist Church, 29 Warwick Road, Haddonfield. Her service will follow promptly at 12 p.m. Masks must be worn inside the church and social distancing will be enforced.
Interment will be private. Please check Kain-Murphy Funeral Services’ website (www.KainMurphy.com) prior to attending Services in case of changes or new restrictions due to COVID-19 protocols or state mandates.
Contributions may be made to Haddonfield United Methodist Church at the above address, The Neighborhood Center, 278 Kaighns Avenue, Camden, N.J. 08103 and/or Fellowship House in Camden, c/o Community Foundation of South Jersey, P.O. Box 446, Haddonfield, N.J. 08033.
