Jo Ann “Jody” Cheney, 76, of Pittston, passed away early on the morning of June 15 at the Maine Medical Center, Portland. The daughter of Stanley and Helen (Butler) Buckler, she was born April 10, 1933, in Sharon, Conn. Jody’s mother died shortly after childbirth and she was raised by her Aunt Ella (Buckler) Erskine, wife of Dwight Erskine of Alna.
Jody was active for many years in the Order of the Eastern Star, holding many offices, and was a member of the “Red Hatters”. She was also a longtime passionate member of the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church, where she served as treasurer and trustee for many years and was active with the monthly food sale, which has been very successful since its inception. She loved knitting, cooking and tending her flowers.
Jody was predeceased by her sister, Helen French; brother, John Buckler; and daughter, Linda Pinkham.
Jody leaves her loving husband and best friend of 58 years, Calvin Cheney of Pittston; two sons, Jack and wife Anita of Alna and their daughter, Jessica Tillson and her daughter, Arabella of Richmond; Paul and wife Tammy and their children, Joshua and Sylivann, all of Newcastle; grandson, Christopher Pinkham of Pittston and his daughter, Chrystal of Scarborough; half brothers, Douglas Erskine and family of Boise, Ida., Jerald (Jed) Erskine and family of Snowflake, Ariz., Frank Buckler and family of St. Louis, Mo., Edward Buckler and family of Centerville, Mass.; sister, Betty Perry of Cotuit Mass;. and many nieces and nephews.
Service to honor Jody’s life 11 a.m., Sat., June 27 at the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church, with Pastor Rick Newell officiating. She will be laid to rest, next to her daughter Linda, at the Alna Cemetery.
If desired, donations may be made to the Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church, P.O. Box 605, Alna, ME 04535.
Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Strong Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
