Terry Smith Cheney

CASTLE HILL - Terry (Smith) Cheney was born September 29, 1937 in New Haven Connecticut. She was the only child of Charles and Elizabeth (Betty) Smith.
Terry was the light in her parent's lives and truly completed them. Terry's parents were strong advocates of Terry's independence and education. Terry was given the opportunity for the best education available. She attended the Gateway School for Girls in West Haven in preparation for college. Terry then attended Pembroke College which was then the coordinate Women's College for Brown University in Providence Rhode Island. It was there where she would meet and marry Ronald, her husband of 60 plus years.
Terry took on many challenges as Mrs. Ronald Cheney. As newly weds they embarked on a military career that would take them all over the world. Terry took the challenge head on, making apartments and base housing into homes. Ronald and Terry experienced many adventures while traveling to, and setting up life at multiple duty stations in Okinawa, Washington, California, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Oklahoma.
Terry enjoyed sharing Ronald's military career and stayed very busy. At one of the many duty stations she was the president of the Officers Wives Club, and a lead preschool teacher at another of the bases they lived at. Much of her time was spent with her two children Linsley and David. She took it all on with grace as she planned deployment countdowns for Ronald's time in Vietnam, care packages made and sent to Ronald, block parties, Christmas and New Years events and many other activities.
Upon completion of their 20 years together sharing a military career, Ronald and Terry retired to Maine at the family camp on Big Machias Lake in the North Maine Woods. Terry, not one to be idle, found employment at Burrells Clipping Service in Presque Isle. She traveled the hour and thirty minute round trip in a Honda Civic wagon making sure to call out "Terry and The Pirates" on the CB radio at every mile marker. She did this for one full year before they purchased what is now Cheney Family Farms in Castle Hill. Terry retired from Burrells Clipping service after 22 years of service, she was a supervisor, known and loved by many.
Terry was a devoted wife and as such, she helped her husband Ronald in many of his post military retirement endeavors including pig farming. Although Terry wasn't feeding pigs at 5:00am she was one of the fastest bacon wrappers in the family and the premier seller of Hog Haven Pork at Burrells. Terry was a pig wrangler when on occasion they escaped from their enclosure. She was well known as the pig man's wife and a contact for sausage or bacon!
In retirement Terry found enjoyment in line dancing, basket weaving and lunching with her dear friends Chris and Stella. She loved to look at family pictures and discuss the happenings of family near and far, current and past. Terry was fiercely independent and loyal to Ronald and her family and friends. She showed us love isn't what you say but how you act. She was the model of a wife, mother, and friend. A way of being that should be emulated by all.
Terry is predeceased by her parents, her husband Ronald Cheney, her beloved Samson The Dog and one of her dearest friends, Stella Madore. She is survived by her children: Linsley (Cheney) Hews and her husband Lewis, David Cheney and his wife Shari. Her grandchildren that include, Jordan Wildeman and her companion Shawn Rich, Lauren Fotter and husband, Kenny, John Wildeman and his companion Michael Brewer, Joshua Cheney and his wife Alex, Gabriel Cheney and his wife Chelsea, Hannah Pickens and her husband Jake, Claire Flewelling and her husband Evan. Terry was blessed with 12, wonderful great grandchildren who brought her the most joy. She is also remembered by her life long and close friends Madeline (Klump) Mansfield and Christina (West) Russell. A graveside service will be held 2PM June 30, 2023 at the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Caribou with Pastor Joshua Cheney officiating.
The family extends an invitation to join them for refreshment and fellowship immediately following at the Cheney Family Farms in Castle Hill. Arrangements have been entrusted to Bowers Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.bowersfuneral.com