Comments on: County Councilwoman Veronica ‘Roni’ Chenowith Passes Away

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:25:29 +0000

Roni was a councilwoman who always stood up for her district, and I was always impressed by the work she did to better the lives of the senior citizens in the area. What I most remember about Roni was the way she always had a hug whenever anyone was within range, but she was never afraid to let others know how she felt either, and I witnessed that passion during frequent interviews. One of the most iconic images of Roni in my mind will be the delighted smile she wore whenever she was in charge of honoring someone at the council; you knew it was genuine. It’s still inspiring that she continued to work for her district, even through all the trials of her health. I know she will be missed.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:27:30 +0000

What a dedicated public servant. Thank you Councilwoman for your service-Harford county is better because of you. My condolences to the Chenowith family.

By: Bea

Bea — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:06:10 +0000

Roni,

We went through a lot of good times together, I will miss you and you are tucked in the corner of my heart with Jeffrey.

As you called me,Your Best X Sister-in-law in the world.

By: Deana

Deana — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:25:33 +0000

Aunt Ronnie–you will be truly missed, but now you are at peace and watching over all of us. I day will not pass that I will not think of you.

By: Carole

Carole — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:12:01 +0000

Roni was a toughlove mom.
She understood the balance between tough when need be and love when earned.
I will miss her always.

By: Parent, taxpayer and businessman

Parent, taxpayer and businessman — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:52:42 +0000

God bless you Roni. Our loss is Jeffrey’s gain.
You gave so much more to this world, and to our community, than you took from it. We will honor you by trying to work as hard as you did; and by trying to care as much as you did.
Matching you in either of those categories is a tall order, but if we can get part of the way there…..we’re doing okay.
Our prayers and thoughts will always be with you and your family.

By: Michele Pence

Michele Pence — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:25:20 +0000

I feel a great loss with the passing of Roni Chenowith, as I am sure all of Harford County does. I had the the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Chenowith on several occasions during Boy Scout activities with my son, council meetings and other charitable events. She was always there for the Scouts and always supportive with an encouraging word. As a regular participant of the South County Relay for Life event, my most fondest memory of “Roni” was 2 years ago at the opening ceremonies. She came out on a chilly Friday evening to give a speech that brought tears to my eyes. You could see she was struggling that day but she was determined to continue on… saluting the National Guard, the walkers, the survivors …. To shake her hand was a true honor for me. She will be greatly missed for all of the hard work and dedication to this county but most of all for the true humanitarian she is. My deepest condolences to the Chenowith family.

By: Cynthea Burns

Cynthea Burns — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:56:28 +0000

An end of an era is the appropriate sentiment. Councilwoman Chenowith will be missed by many. Losing her, Delegate Parrott and Superintendent Haas within a few short months of each other is a tremendous loss for Harford County. These three women were icons of strong will and deep compassion within the community. The term trilogy is generally used to classify three works of art or literature connected by a common theme. The lives and work of Roni, Joann and Jackie will forever be connected by the common thread of fierce commitment to their community – iron fists in velvet gloves. I think that would qualify them as a trilogy in any historian’s book.

By: Brian

Brian — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:45:58 +0000

This is truly the end of a political era in Harford County. I think Roni might hold the record for the longest career on the Harford County Council – 15 years. It seemed like she was always around – every ribbon-cutting, fire banquet, ground-breaking, parade and public meeting.

There are plenty of moments I recall about Roni:

- The day she got into a fight with former councilwoman Susan Heselton during a budget hearing and asked “Why is she so hateful?” after Heselton stormed off into a back room. That one always makes me laugh.

- The night her son was seriously injured after falling from a ladder. Roni’s husband stormed into the council chambers, ran up to her with tears in his eyes and told her “Joe’s hurt.” It was so tragic. Roni screamed and both ran out of the chambers. The shocked audience then sat in silence for about an hour after then-council president Rob Wagner requested the Harford Cable Network television crews rewind there tapes to just before the incident, so the drama would be recoreded over. Just a heartbreaking moment.

- I also remember the afternoon Roni and I met in her office to discuss a bill. We sat closer than we ever had before and she stopped at one point and exclaimed, “My God, you have the most beautiful eyes.” Maybe that was a line she used on all the cub reporters, but it worked.

Her and Del. Parrott were two of the most omni-present and vocal elected officials in Harford County – male or female. And to lose them both in such a short period of time is hard to believe.

By: Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128 (MD)

Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128 (MD) — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:27:04 +0000

The Harford County Municipal Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 128 (MD) would like to send its condolences to the family and friends of Veronica “Roni” Chenowith.

Our lodge thanks “Roni” for the support she extended to our members. She will be surely missed however not forgotten.

Sincerely,
Jason Neidig
Vice President/Secretary