Katherine Anne Marie Jones

Our cherished mother, Anne Jones, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2020 at the age of 89. Anne personified kindness, a strong Catholic faith, and service to others. She loved children, and was a special Nannie to her grandchildren. Her mottos, and there were many, included “Brighten up the corner where you are” and “Don’t put off to tomorrow what you can do today”. She encouraged us to keep moving forward and to live life fully.

Born in Antigonish in 1930, she was the eldest daughter of Dougald Cameron MacDonald and Rose (D.D.) MacDonald. She had many happy memories of growing up in Antigonish and Glace Bay, with her five brothers and sisters. Her father was the seventh son of a seventh son, which was considered very special in their large Celtic clan. The Depression and war years were difficult, and Anne lost both her parents at a young age. These losses did not cause her faith to falter, and she remained full of gratitude for those who helped her family along the way. She graduated from Mount St Bernard College at St. FX and joined the Provincial Government in 1950. She met a young lawyer, Malachi Jones, and they were married at St. Ninian’s Cathedral on August 5, 1952.

Anne was a busy mother with nine children, several cats and dogs, and a large household to manage.

She was a natural teacher, who constantly worked prayers (Blessed are the poor) and proverbs (Actions speak louder than words) into our daily lessons. An excellent cook, mom enjoyed hosting bridge club and dinner parties. She juggled schedules, sewed uniforms, and supported our academic endeavours. Constantly singing, mom loved music and passed that love along to each of us. She was active in the Saint Agnes, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Saint Benedict’s parishes and was a long standing member of the Catholic Women’s League. She was on the St. Agnes support committee for Vietnamese immigrant families and volunteered at the QEII-Halifax Infirmary Hospital for over 20 years. She canvassed for the United Way and Canadian Cancer Society, and made casseroles for Hope Cottage. A curling fan and unofficial coach/manager, she spent many days chauffeuring teams to events around Nova Scotia, and attending national and international championships. She loved travelling, especially to Bermuda, New Zealand, Toronto and Grande Prairie to visit her children and grandchildren. An unabashed fan of the Queen, she was thrilled to meet her on the Royal Yacht Britannia. She enjoyed many summers in Bayfield, Mahoney’s Beach and PEI, and in 1985 bought a cottage in Hubbards, where she loved the people, the beach, and her garden.

Anne was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Justice Malachi Jones, a twin daughter, Colleen Catherine, her sister Patricia, and brother John (Miner) MacDonald. She is warmly remembered by her sisters Lorette MacKinnon, and Elizabeth Koski; her brother Edward (Bernadette) MacDonald, her sisters in law Caroll Ann MacDonald and Marie Jones, and her brother in law John Roy MacDonald. She is survived by her children Roseanne (Gary Williams) Auckland; Barbara (Richard Gordon); Maureen (Tom Savoy) Toronto; Sheila (Dan Zeyha) Grande Prairie; Colleen (Scott Saunders); Monica (Brian Moriarty) Ottawa; Jennifer (Steve Springstead) Toronto; Stephanie (Jason Carne) Bermuda; and Stephen (Anne) Jones, Toronto. She is survived by her grandchildren Guy, Maria and Paul Williams, New Zealand; Sarah and Marc (Isabelle Jubinville) Gordon; Stephen Savoy, Jenna (Daryl) Sider, and Jeff (Liz) Savoy, Toronto; Shane (Jane), Trent, Jordan, Lindsey and David (Brenda Wheeler) Zeyha, Alberta; Zach (Christa Korens) Saunders and Luke Saunders; Alex (Rubi) Moriarty, California; and Kathleen Moriarty, Vancouver; Sean and Jake Springstead, Toronto; Dylan and Tamsin Carne, Bermuda; and Aidan and Sophia Jones, Toronto. She was blessed with 7 great grandchildren, Owen and Nathan Sider; Kaylee, Matthew, and Jacob Savoy; Nathaniel (Nay) Saunders, and William (Willi) Moriarty. She is survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

Memories can be shared at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. (www.jasnowfuneralhome.com)

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date, when people can gather again. Donations may be made in her memory to the QEII Foundation, Hope Cottage or to a charity of your choice.

Although Anne had dementia she never lost her sweet disposition and gentle nature, and she managed to remember the words to many songs. For the past 7 years she lived at the Shannex Parkland and Maplestone Enhanced Care, where she enjoyed the music, the gardens and the people who cared for her. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, caregivers, recreation staff, volunteers, religious ministers, and musicians for all their care and support.