Elinor Christine Boost Cheney's Obituary
Elinor Christine Boost Cheney died peacefully at the age of 100 on September 19, 2024. Described by family and friends as charming, capable, strong, stylish and kind, she will be missed by all who knew her.
Elinor was the beloved wife of 63 years of Harlan (Lon) Cheney, CDR, USN Ret. She is survived by three children: Christine Cheney, Sara Cheney Strom, and William Cheney; as well as four grandchildren Aaron Gross, John and Christian Strom, and Amanda Cheney. She was also “GG” to two great-grand daughters, Riley and Emily Gross.
Elinor grew up in Moline, Illinois, where her father was butler to an heir of the John Deere Company. Her background contributed to her well-known graciousness as a hostess and her life-long interest in beauty and style. Elinor attended UCLA and the Chicago Art Institute. She began working at I Magnin at the Hotel Del Coronado where she met Lon in 1948. They married later that year. She followed Lon to his many Navy postings before settling in Arlington, VA. She enjoyed the Navy life. She made each move both an adventure and a smooth transition for the family. Elinor evolved to a hostess for academic friends when Lon became a college professor at Georgetown University and the University of the District of Columbia.
Elinor worked in retail for many years, first at I Magnon, then at Lord and Taylor, and retiring from Neiman Marcus. She was a member of PEO, and she and Lon enjoyed an active membership at Army Navy Country Club. Elinor loved to travel and only missed Australia and Antarctica in her wanderings—usually including visits to friends living abroad.
Elinor and Lon moved to Falcons Landing Retirement Community (Sterling, VA) in 2008. where she made many new friends, reconnected with some “old” ones, and was a popular hostess.
A memorial service will be held at Falcons Landing on November 12, with interment at Arlington Cemetery at a later date. For more information about the memorial service, contact Loudoun Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or through their website at www.stjude.org.
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