Lois E. Alexander Mcchesney

Lois E. Alexander McChesney, 95, of R D#1 New Galilee went to her eternal reward from the comfort of her own home on Wednesday January 15th, 2014.  She had suffered the rigors of failing health for over a year.

Lois was born July 14, 1918 in Scott Twp. West of Harlansburg to the late Roy E. and Bertha Wallace Alexander. She attended Rocky Point School, Harlansburg High School and New Wilmington High School completing her education in 11 years. As a member of the White Church (Darlington) congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church since her marriage to Jim McChesney on March 21, 1940, she served as Sunday school Jr. Dept. Superintendent and Sunday school teacher. She was a member of the Big Beaver Grange, also from 1940, serving as master and for many years as lecturer. She also served on the Women’s Committee of the Pa. Farmers Assn. at the local and state levels and as leader of the Darlington Twp. Sodbusters 4-H club for 35 years.

She was the “nerve center” of the Macbro Dairy Farm: she kept the books, paid the bills, went for parts when machinery broke down and for feed as well, helped feed and milk the cows, did the gardening and canning and freezing, cooked for her family and the hired help as well as all the other myriad household duties normally carried out by housewives. One friend said of her “Nobody can keep up with Lois.”

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her only sister Nellie Alexander and her only brother, Bill Alexander and grandson-in-law, Blake McMahan.

She leaves to mourn her passing one son, Bill McChesney and wife Vernice of R D #1, New Galilee; four grandchildren: Will McChesney and wife Sarah with six children in Beaver Falls, Nellie McMahan and four children of Enon Valley, Lydia and husband Ethan Bosch with five children of R D #1 New Galilee and Rose McChesney, who resided with her and helped with much of her care during her declining months.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Friday, January 17 at the Marshall Funeral Home, 341 Main St. Wampum. Friends will also be received on Saturday at the funeral home from 10 until the time of the funeral service at 11 am. Her Pastor, Rev. Jeffrey Noyes will officiate. Interment will follow in White Church Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Rahall and Gateway Hospice for their kind and efficient care. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Darlington Reformed Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Darlington PA or the City Rescue Mission in New Castle.

Online condolences may be sent to marshallsfh.com