Mary Theresa Jones

Obituary of Mary (Fitzpatrick) Jones Mary Theresa Jones, age 95, passed away peacefully on February 22, 2017, at her winter home at Snowbird South RV Park in Center Hill, Florida, with her family by her side. Mary was born on June 9, 1921 to Denis and Mae Fitzpatrick in Jersey City, New Jersey. As a young child, after moving into her mother's family home, she perfected her role of cheering up her grieving aunts and grandmother by entertaining them with silly jokes, songs, and nursery rhymes after the deaths of her grandfather, uncles, and father. From first through eighth grade, Mary attended the newly-opened Annunciation School in Ilion, NY. After graduating from Ilion High School, she attended Potsdam Normal School. There she was introduced to Harris Jones as "Pat" Fitzpatrick, a name given to her by one of her roommates. "Pat" and "Harry" were married at Annunciation Church on Mary's birthday, June 9, 1945. Mary taught for two years in Alplaus, NY, until her first of seven children was born. The family moved back to Ilion in 1949 where the children were entertained by Mommy with bedtime stories and songs including one she wrote when her first three kids were preschoolers. The Jones kids also remember learning guessing games to play while helping to wash and dry the dishes. When her children were all in school, Mary began teaching music in the Ilion schools. After retiring from that job, she taught second grade for two years at Annunciation School before her husband retired. In 1982, Mary and Harry drove their motorhome to the newly opened Snowbird RV Park in Center Hill, Florida, where they continued to spend their winters for over 30 years. Pat, as Mary was known there, was active in the work of that community, volunteering for such things as baking for weekly coffee hour and bake sales, teaching others to crochet and organizing a community afghan project, and organizing the library shelves in the community hall. She is most remembered there for her performances at karaoke and Music Jams where she wowed her audiences even into 2017, with her beautiful voice. As a grandmother and great grandmother, Mary enjoyed time spent with grandchildren and great-grandchildren playing in the sandbox, attempting to teach them to cook, bake, knit or crochet, and attending their sporting events, concerts, plays and graduations. Family members who have enjoyed singing, domino and card playing or laughing at Mom, Grandma, Nana's jokes include: Terry Jones of Ilion, NY; Roger Jones, Amy, Lucy and Sara Keh, David Faller, and Sue Jones of Ohio; Denis and Natalie Jones, Rachel, Joe, and Brennan Dowling, Andy Jones, Dana Gioia, and Graham Gioia Jones, Tim and Mary Cooper of Rochester, NY; Corey, Cindy, Tia, Erich, Beth, Cameron, and Ella Jones of Canandaigua; Chris Jones, Amy Gillman, Jenna Gillman Jones, and Hannah Plock of the N.Y.C. area; Ellen, Wally, Alyssa, and Joe Plock of Albany, NY; Patrick Jones of Hanover, Germany; Mike Jones of Florida; Lisa, Claire, Dillon, Kristin, and Collin Jones of Texas. As loved ones cared for this nonagenarian, Mary continued to entertain those around her with her game playing, singing, and silliness. Many thanks to family caregivers Terry, Ellen, Wally, Patrick, Alyssa, Hannah, and Erich; to caregiver neighbors in Ilion: Lisa, Brenda, Shannon, and Alicia, and to Snowbird caregivers Diane, Betty, Annie and others. Special thanks to Mattie and Frank Garberra who cared for Mary for the last five years in Ilion and at Snowbird South. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity. A memorial service will be held at Snowbird South Activity Center at 4:00 PM on Saturday, February 25th. A memorial Mass will be held on April 17, 2017 at Annunciation Church in Ilion, NY. Details to follow.

Mary Theresa Jones

June 9, 1921 - February 22, 2017