Obituary for Grace T. Jones
Grace T. Jones, age 97, of Wingate Residences in Pittsfield, passed away on January 31, 2023. Born October 28, 1925, in Pittsfield, MA to David J. Tierney and Jennie Freehoffer Tierney, she graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1943. She returned to school in her 60’s, and taking one course at a time, she received her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences from Mohawk Valley Community College in 1989.
Grace married her high school sweetheart, Frederick H. Jones, Jr. on June 21, 1947. They were married 58 years until his death in 2005.
Grace led an adventurous life. From being a childhood prankster on her grandparents’ farm on Gale Avenue and flying lessons as a teenager to service in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II and world travel as an adult. She walked the Great Wall of China, visited glaciers in Alaska, visited many countries in mainland Europe and the British Isles, and cruised in the Caribbean.
She held several secretarial positions, her favorite being the 23 years she served at Harts Hill Elementary School in Whitesboro, New York, where she was a surrogate mother to many young teachers just starting their careers.
Grace was active in the ladies organizations of the Catholic Church and taught religious education courses. In later years she became a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Stuart, Florida.
Grace was an avid bridge player and enjoyed mahjong. Most of all, Grace enjoyed helping people. She had a compliment and words of encouragement for everyone she met.
Grace lived in Pittsfield, MA; Burlington, VT; Tuscon, AZ, Whitesboro, NY; Stuart, FL; Port St. Lucie, FL; and Reidsville, NC; finally returning to Pittsfield after reaching the age of 90.
She is survived by four children: Christopher Jones, of Pittsfield; David Jones (Beth), of Kennebunk, ME; Pamela Williams (David), of Hubbardsville, NY; and Margaret Jones, of Reidsville, NC; by four grandchildren Krina, Claire, Owen and Oliver; by two great-grandchildren Joseph and Jennifer; by her sister, Rosemary Brennan; and by several dozen nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her infant son Peter, her sisters Marion Makes, Margaret Barry, Jane Gifford, Patricia Campbell and Constance Coughlin, by her brothers William Tierney and David J. Tierney, Jr., and by her beloved godchild Ann Barry.
Grace’s family expresses their deep appreciation to Wingate Residences for the wonderful care she received during the final leg of her life’s journey.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be held, Monday, February 6, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to Hospice of Western MA in care of the funeral home.
Grace married her high school sweetheart, Frederick H. Jones, Jr. on June 21, 1947. They were married 58 years until his death in 2005.
Grace led an adventurous life. From being a childhood prankster on her grandparents’ farm on Gale Avenue and flying lessons as a teenager to service in the Civil Air Patrol during World War II and world travel as an adult. She walked the Great Wall of China, visited glaciers in Alaska, visited many countries in mainland Europe and the British Isles, and cruised in the Caribbean.
She held several secretarial positions, her favorite being the 23 years she served at Harts Hill Elementary School in Whitesboro, New York, where she was a surrogate mother to many young teachers just starting their careers.
Grace was active in the ladies organizations of the Catholic Church and taught religious education courses. In later years she became a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Stuart, Florida.
Grace was an avid bridge player and enjoyed mahjong. Most of all, Grace enjoyed helping people. She had a compliment and words of encouragement for everyone she met.
Grace lived in Pittsfield, MA; Burlington, VT; Tuscon, AZ, Whitesboro, NY; Stuart, FL; Port St. Lucie, FL; and Reidsville, NC; finally returning to Pittsfield after reaching the age of 90.
She is survived by four children: Christopher Jones, of Pittsfield; David Jones (Beth), of Kennebunk, ME; Pamela Williams (David), of Hubbardsville, NY; and Margaret Jones, of Reidsville, NC; by four grandchildren Krina, Claire, Owen and Oliver; by two great-grandchildren Joseph and Jennifer; by her sister, Rosemary Brennan; and by several dozen nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her infant son Peter, her sisters Marion Makes, Margaret Barry, Jane Gifford, Patricia Campbell and Constance Coughlin, by her brothers William Tierney and David J. Tierney, Jr., and by her beloved godchild Ann Barry.
Grace’s family expresses their deep appreciation to Wingate Residences for the wonderful care she received during the final leg of her life’s journey.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph Church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be held, Monday, February 6, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to Hospice of Western MA in care of the funeral home.