Ellen Catherine Jones

Ellen Catherine Jones, 89, of San Luis Obispo, passed away at home on January 6, 2018, just days shy of her 90th birthday. She was the daughter of Edna M. (Bushnell) and Cornelius A. Schurtz. A great-granddaughter of John Price and Andrea Carlon, founders of Pismo Beach, Ellen was born in San Luis Obispo but spent most of her early years living with her mother and four siblings at her grandmother Elena's ranch in Shell Beach. She graduated from Arroyo Grande High gaining many lifelong friends, then moved to San Luis Obispo and was hired by Pacific Bell just prior to her 18th birthday, thus starting a lifelong career as a telephone operator until her retirement in 1983. Ellen met and soon married William H. "Bill" Jones, a local from See Canyon, in 1949 just after her 21st birthday. In 1951, son W. Steven joined the family. William finished building their home, which they moved into in 1953 and there in 1956, daughter Judy joined the family. Ellen lived in this same home until a short battle with cancer ended her life. Her passions were her family, genealogy, exploring local trails, and her rose and succulent gardens. In her last year she hiked the new Pismo Preserve which overlooks what was her grandmother's ranch in Shell Beach, visited a dear cousin, Ramona, in Pacific Grove and attended her grandniece Sandra's 70th birthday party, staying strong and enjoying life until the end. Through her genealogy research she had discovered "new" family from all over the U.S. and kept in contact, sharing research through e-mail. Ellen is survived by son, Steve (Lola) of Redondo Beach; daughter, Judy (Ron) of Los Osos; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins all very precious to her. She was predeceased by her husband, William in 2002; sisters: Florence and Lucille; brothers: Ralph and Michael; and by a nephew, Robert Scamara and his wife, Lois who were dear friends of Ellen and her husband Bill. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm, Sunday January 14, 2018, at Los Osos Valley Mortuary, with a graveside service at 11:00 am, Monday, January 15th, at Los Osos Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to "Friends of the Price House" Historical Park of Pismo Beach or the El Chorro Dog Park of San Luis Obispo.