Helen Loretta Chaney

Helen Chaney, 91, of Abilene, passed away on April 13, 2021 in Abilene, Texas. Visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:00 am, Saturday, April 17, 2021 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home in Abilene, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Private family graveside will follow, with interment at Elmwood Memorial Park. Helen was born in Effingham, Illinois to Victor Dean and Elva (McCormack) Shew on March 7, 1930. She graduated from Newton Community High School and moved to Abilene for nurses training at Hendrick Memorial Hospital, where she met her lifelong best friend, Peggy Robberson. Helen married Jack James Chaney November 24, 1948 in Anson, Texas, and they remained devoted to each other until his passing in 2009. Though she was an only child, she found the large family she's always wanted with the Chaneys. She worked as a registered nurse at Saint Ann's Hospital, Hendrick Hospital and Concepts of Care. She was a member of the Church of the Heavenly Rest, and loved bingo, books, and cheering on her beloved Abilene Eagles and Texas Longhorns. Helen also loved playing 42, dancing and traveling with their closest friends, the Clarkes, Robbersons, and Vinsons, to whose children she became an honorary mother. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Jack, and her daughter Dixie Lee Wise. She is survived by her son, Michael Joe Chaney, M.D. and wife, Shanedel, of Driftwood, Texas; daughter Susan Luann Hamilton, of Abilene; son-in-law Wayne Wise of Tucson, Arizona; grandsons William Wise (Shawna) and Mark Wise (Kim) and granddaughters Rebecca Mackiewicz (Sean), Molly Sharp (Jesse), Mindy Myers (Zach), and Jennifer Salladay (Brandon); 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter. Pallbearers will be her 6 grandchildren. The family wishes to extend sincere thanks to Hendrick Hospice and Alice Lima for their loving care of our Nene.