Mary Elizabeth Runyan Jones

Mary Elizabeth Runyan Jones passed away peacefully on February 4, 2024 in Essex , Ct. Mary was born on March 2, 1923 to Dr. Orville Albert Runyan(“Doc”) and Lola Mabel Robinson Runyan. Mary was the youngest of three, brother Robert and sister Marjorie both deceased. Mary spent her childhood in Omaha and pursued her educational aspirations at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and joined her beloved Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. During WWII she left college to help the war effort , volunteering for the Gray Ladies of the American Red Cross, helping area hospitals in Omaha. It is during this time and working for the army, she met Captain Douglas N. Jones Jr. of Oklahoma City, Ok. They married in November of 1944. After the war they moved with the IBM company from Omaha, (Mary had never been out of Nebraska) to Lubbock,TX, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, MO. New Canaan, Ct and finally to their forever home in Essex Ct. Mary was proud of many of things in her lifetime, her loving husband, her son and daughter but none more than cultivating and enjoying her many and diverse friends. She often said her friends and conversation made her life interesting and she certainly had plenty of both. Mary always had a quick wit, a pointed opinion and an infectious laugh to brighten any day. Mary was most gratified with her volunteerism throughout the years mostly in hospital care and the art community. Mary loved the game of golf from her start in a cow pasture in Lubbock TX with two used clubs. She became quite a proficient golfer through the years and most especially enjoyed her membership in the Old Lyme Country club and her beloved Lighthouse Point Association beach club family. In most recent times you would find her daily reading the most recent news and playing hours of solitaire on her IPad at the age of 100. Mary has always given of her time and resources by quietly and abundantly paying it forward. Mary’s greatest joy and her final advice to all was to be a good friend , cherish them, nurture them AND cultivate younger friends. Mary is survived by her daughter Marjorie Robin Jones and her partner Susan Aceves of Oro Valley Az. Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband Doug of 67 years and her wonderful son Douglas N Jones III. Mary leaves behind numerous nephews and nieces and extended family with multiple generations all across the United States and Brazil. The family would like to thank everyone at Essex Meadows for their unending care and respect afforded Mary’s 25 years as a resident. The friendships and love from all her many friends and extended family made Mary’s life even more special daily.

The burial will be private. Robinson Wright and Weymer Funeral Home of Essex Ct . is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please perform a random act of kindness for a friend or stranger in Mary’s name.