Lois M. (Howes) Jones

JONES, Lois M. (nee Howes) - Lois died peacefully after a brief illness with her daughters by her side on August 21. Lovingly missed by her children Deborah A. Jones of Athens, Greece, Dr. Heather Jones of Woodstock, and Trevor Jones (Bev Lewis) of London. Remembered by her grandchildren Nathan, Kate, and Erica. Always in the hearts of her brothers and sisters Isabel Archer of Woodstock, Roger Howes of Whitby, Ontario, Genevieve Stewart of Woodstock, Barbara Denby of Woodstock, and Mark Howes of Clinton Ontario. Lois was predeceased by her sister Reta Duke and her brother Sydney Howes. Mom was born into a pioneering family in Millet, Alberta in 1921. She moved with her family to Toronto, and then to Norwich, Ontario, where she completed her early schooling. She graduated from McMaster University with a BA in French and German literature in 1943. She then worked for the federal government in Ottawa for the war effort to 1945 and then in Bonn, Germany to 1947. She taught German to returning veterans for two years at UBC before pursuing her MA in German Literature at Radcliffe College, now incorporated into Harvard University. After marrying Ken Jones in 1950, mom settled in Woodstock and joined the University Women's Club and the Dilettante Club which became the Oxford County Art Association which ultimately helped establish the Woodstock Art Gallery, and also helped to fundraise for the Woodstock Strings. She was a founding member of the Women's Emergency Centre, now the DASO. She was a board member of the YWCA and was very proud to be a member of the Tuesday Reading Club. Mom loved theatre, attending Woodstock Little Theatre and the Grand Theatre, and the Shaw and Stratford Festivals yearly. She travelled widely in the post-war days and with her partner George Patrick after retiring as a teacher of French and German at WCI, often visiting her daughter Deborah in Athens, Greece. She took wonderful care of her daughter Heather's house for 9 years and enjoyed spending time with her son Trevor's three children. By mom's request, no visitation or funeral will be held. A private family gathering will be held at a later date. Memorial donations to the Woodstock Art Gallery would please mom greatly and may be arranged through the Brock and Visser Funeral Home 845 Devonshire Ave., Woodstock, (519)539-0004. Online condolences may be sent to brockandvisser.com