Gweneth F. Cheney

Gweneth Frances Anwyl Cheney, 98, passed away on March 21, 2026. She was born December 12, 1927 in Queens, NYC, daughter of James and Frances Anwyl. She graduated from Lafayette High School, Buffalo, NY and Mount Holyoke College. South Hadley, MA in 1948 with a degree in mathematics. As jobs were going to vets returning from WWII, she went to work for the Welton Bureau, an employment agency in Buffalo, NY. She married Elmer Cheney Jr. in 1951 whom she had known for years as their fathers worked together. She helped Elmer get a job at WestVaco where he worked until his retirement. In 1953, they moved to Rochester, NY and raised 5 children.

Gwen was a lifelong bridge player, piano player, and volunteer. She was active in Planned Parenthood in the 1960's, member of the Rochester Mount Holyoke Club, member & translator for SHHH (self help for hard of hearing) transcribing speakers on an overhead projector, treasurer of the gift shop at the Episcopal Church Home for over 20 years. She worked to get the gift shop moved from the basement to the lobby. After her children left home she began to travel, needlepoint and nurtured her love of stained glass windows. She participated in a long term study conducted by the University of Rochester on dementia. She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Rochester, NY where she was involved in the church woman's group, taught Sunday School, did tours of the stained glass windows, was Director of Religious Instruction, and Administrative Assistant to the Rector. She also stitched 8 needlepoint kneelers for St. Paul's and did talks around Rochester on stained glass windows.

in 2013, she and Elmer moved to Brickstone Independent Senior Living where she continued to play bridge and sing in the chorale. In May 2025, she moved to Hawthorne Assisted Living and continued playing bridge.

Gwen was predeceased by her Husband Elmer; brother Robert (Claire deceased) Anwyl of Albuquerque, NM; and her daughter Joan Mann, of Chesapeake, VA. She is survived by her children Carol (Robert) Preston of Clifton Park, NY; Barb Cheney of Auburndale, FL; and from Rochester, NY, John Cheney (Diane Keely); and James (Lorraine) Cheney; grandchildren Nicole (Derick) Gilmour of Malta, NY, Amy (Matthew) Tyler of Saratoga Springs, NY, Edward Mann of Chesapeake, VA and Niall Cheney of Rochester, NY; her beloved great grandsons Liam Gilmour, Preston, Connor, and William Tyler; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held April 20th at 2 pm at St. Paul's Episcopal Church (25 Westminster Rd., Rochester, NY). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Paul's memory fund or Mount Holyoke College.