She was a wonderful person. Ele had a great energy about her and always welcomed everyone into her life. Her true heart was about being a very generous philanthropist. God speed, my friend.
She's Got Drive
By Erik Torkells
March 5, 2001
(FORTUNE Magazine) – Ele Chesney, a vintage-car collector from Tom's River, N.J., will be starring at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance. "When I started going to car shows ten years ago," she says, "people thought I was a Mr. Eli." Certainly not after they met her: Chesney, founder of Ocean Microwave, dresses and paints her nails to match the car she has entered in the show. At Amelia Island she'll sport charcoal and silver polish, to go with her one-of-a-kind 1928 Minerva. She may or may not bring Niki Freckles, her dalmatian. "Growing up, you have that dream, 'Why can't I go to a tea party with those people?' At one show, I remember walking into this huge tent with fist-sized roses on the tables. I looked up to heaven and said, 'I made it, Mom. I'm at the tea party.'"
--ERIK TORKELLS