Walnut Creek resident, Marie Chaney, passed away on April 25, 2009. She was 88. Born Marie Elizabeth Oslund on December 10, 1920 in Latah County, ID, she grew up on a farm near Troy, ID. She graduated from Lewiston Normal School and then received a B.A. in English from the University of Idaho. She married Bill Chaney, her husband of more than 60 years, in 1942. He died in 2005.
Marie was a teacher. She taught various grade levels from first to high school, but a majority of her working years was in the lower grades. She moved with her husband and family from Idaho to Hollister, CA in 1953 and to Gilroy, CA in 1964. She taught elementary school in both communities for many years as she raised her three children. Her last school was El Roble Elementary in Gilroy. In retirement, Bill and Marie returned to Hollister in 1986 where they lived until moving to the Rossmoor area of Walnut Creek in 2004. Marie was a quilter. She made dozens of award-winning quilts as loving gifts for her family members.
In addition to her husband, Bill, who died in 2005, Marie was preceded in death by her brother, Alex Oslund. She is survived by her two sisters, Liviah Michaelis and Cynthia Cox, both of Idaho, her three children and their families, son Brent Chaney of Walnut Creek, his wife Avis, and their children, Kristin French and her husband, Paul French, Scott Chaney, and Ross Chaney; son Bradley Chaney of WI, his wife Judi, and their children, Will Chaney and Graham Chaney; daughter Alexis Abell of CA, and her husband Ed, and their children, Aaron Abell and Ellen Abell; and her sister-in-law, Verna Olson of Washington state. Marie also had numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.
She is loved and treasured by her family and friends. She will be missed. Services are scheduled for 12:30 P.M. on May 24th, 2009 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek.
