Elaine Jones

A graduate of Oregon State College in Corvallis, she later interrupted her career in public relations for a year of intensive graduate study in communication research at Michigan State.

Among her clients were Herman Miller, Inc., Arcadia Metal Products, and the ceramicist La Gardo Tackett.

In 1994 she was named an honorary member of the American Institute of Architects, praised for "Dedicating her professional lifetime to communicating the architect's vision to the lay community, to corporations, and to industry…."

A brilliant liaison in private life, she brought together artists, architects, journalists, designers, and friends at the Barn, transformed by A. Quincy Jones from a bleak photographer's studio to a magical home and workplace.

Vibrant, strong-willed, a force, yet ever thoughtful, she surprised sick friends with a note on each day of their illness, and always encouraged the young.

Her last years were spent at work on the archives of her late husband's career, which she donated to the UCLA Department of Special Collections.

She is survived by a brother, Charles J. Kollins, three nieces, and the daughter and two sons of A.Q. Jones.

Donations in her honor may be made to the A. Quincy Jones Memorial Scholarship/USC at the USC School of Architecture, Watt Hall 204, Los Angeles 90089-0291.

Published in the Los Angeles Times on August 17, 2010