Jennie Chaney Cummins

CUMMINS, Jennie Elizabeth Stewart Chaney. Our dearest Jennie, 79, passed away Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at the Avow Hospice House in Naples, Fla., from aspiration complications of PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy). She was born in Philadelphia, Pa., at the Jefferson Hospital, February 5, 1931, as the beautiful daughter of the late Walter J. and Mildred "Sunny" Miller Stewart. She is survived by her husband, Charles A. Cummins II; sons, Scott (Deborah) Chaney and Will Chaney; and stepchildren, Suzanne (Dave) Yunghans, Charles (Holly) Cummins III, Kathy (Lee) Watkins and Wendy (late Fitz) Fitzpatrick; eight stepgrandchildren, and one stepgreat-grandchild; plus her most loving caregiver, Gracie Alcantara. Jennie grew up in Baltimore and attended Roland Park Country School. She then moved to Richmond, Va., after her first marriage where she raised her two sons and loved being a mother. There she was a model at Miller & Rhoads Department Store, as well as Snow Queen, joining Hansford Rowe, who was Santa Claus. After attending Smithdeal-Massey Business School, she worked as a secretary. She also was active in the Tuckahoe Garden Club and St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. In 1967 Jennie married Charlie Cummins and she returned to Baltimore where she was a member of the Baltimore Country Club, enjoying golf and social activities. She also was active in prayer groups at the Church of the Redeemer and the Good Shepherd. Jennie also became quite an accomplished artist. After Charlie's retirement, she moved to Marco Island, Fla., where she was active in tennis and golf at the Island Country Club. She proudly and graciously supported Charlie as first lady when he was president of the club and managed construction of the new club house after a fire. Jennie continued her artwork, and wherever she lived, she loved the outdoors and gardening. Jennie will surely be missed by her devoted family, as well as her many very special friends in Richmond, Baltimore and Marco Island. A memorial celebration of Jennie's beautiful life will be held at the Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home, 577 Elkcam Circle, Marco Island, on Saturday, June 26, at 11 a.m., immediately followed by a reception at the Island Country Club. A memorial service will also be held at a later date at the Church of the Redeemer in Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cure PSP, Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Rd., Ste. 906, Hunt Valley, Md. 21031-9942, or to the Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida 34105.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.