Jane E. Cheney

EAST LONGMEADOW - Jane (Ertel) Cheney of 254 Prospect St., East Longmeadow died on Sept. 23rd at the East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Center after a short illness. A life-long resident of Western Mass, Jane Ertel was born on March 5, 1925 in Westfield, the eldest of Harold and Gertrude Ertel’s three children and was a 1943 graduate of Westfield High School and later, Northampton Commercial College. She worked as a secretary at Stanley Home Products in Westfield and as secretary to the dean at Smith College before marrying Arthur Emerson Cheney in 1946 and moving to Springfield where her husband owned an electrotype company. Three sons soon followed but she could hardly be called a “stay at home” mom. Jane was a tireless supporter of her sons’ various sporting endeavors and active in her community. She worked as a volunteer for over ten years at the Wesson Maternity Hospital’s coffee shop and Women’s Auxiliary, was active in several PTA’s, worked on the “Plan A” political campaign in Springfield and for various candidates, including former Mayor Charlie Ryan. In the early Sixties she devoted much time and energy as the Chairman of the House-to-House campaign for the American Cancer Crusade, and was honored as Volunteer of the Year for 1963 by the American Cancer Society. Jane was also active at Faith Church in Springfield and served on several committees there over the years. Once her children left home, she returned to the workforce and retired in 1990.  Following the death of her husband in 1992, Jane spent several days a week at the East Longmeadow Skilled Nursing Center until frail health forced her several years ago to finally stop the volunteer work that she loved so much. In her later years, she stayed active by joining a line-dancing group, took Tai Chi classes, and became an accomplished quilter. Her parents, her husband of 46 years, Emerson, and a brother Robert Ertel of Nevada preceded Jane in death.

She is survived by a sister Marion, numerous nieces and nephews, four grandchildren, Star, JJ, Marisa and Ben, two great-grandchildren Zophia and Isabella and her three sons and step-daughter; Robert (and his wife Marie) of Westfield, Bruce of Istanbul, Turkey, Jeff of East Longmeadow, and Carolyn of San Francisco.

There will be a memorial service on Tuesday, Sept. 29th at 11:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church UCC, 7 Somers Road E. Longmeadow.

As a devoted and life-long Red Sox fan she wished that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Jimmy Fund in her name. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC has been entrusted with the arrangements.