Esther Bunny Dora Jones

We grieve the loss of our mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Esther Dora Jones (Robinson) on September 1, 2013, but we also celebrate her long life. Esther, better known as Bunny, was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 24, 1915 but moved to Saskatchewan when her parents Esther and James Robinson bought the Punnichy Hotel. Growing up in a hotel proved to be one adventure after another for this high-spirited little girl. She loved exploring the Touchwood Hills accompanied by her favourite Pomeranian, Pommy. Punnichy is situated close to four First Nation Reserves which helped her develop a life-long appreciation of Native culture.

In 1935, she returned to Winnipeg to go to Business College where she met the love of her life, Richard George Jones. From then on it was “Dick and Bunny!” Getting married was difficult in the thirties as job prospects were nil and you had to be married to get a job. No marriage – no job; no job-no marriage. With a combined fortune of $2.00, they were secretly married in the United Church Manse by Reverend Pilkey with only friends Margaret and Bob Corbett as witnesses on July 12, 1937. Voila! Dick was hired by the City of Winnipeg and they proceeded to break the news to their surprised parents.

Bunny was extremely busy during the turbulent war-years raising George and Patricia almost entirely on her own. Simple tasks like going to the corner store revealed her creativity born of necessity. She would capture her children’s imagination with games of “Cowboys and Indians,” and once the children were carefully tied, would quickly run three doors down to get the milk. While Dick served in the Canadian Air Force, Bunny kept the wood stove in the kitchen burning.

She worked for many years at The Bay but in 1965 after the shocking death of her beloved husband, she found herself back at Business College for upgrading. She was able to secure a job with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Manitoba, which she loved, and in an invitation to her retirement party in 1980, she was described as “secretary, manageress, go-for, and-all-around neat lady.” A small taste of her humour was shown in her thank you speech when she said she hoped that “when I retire I can keep as busy as the boys always tell me they are when I call them.” And she did just that!

Bunny was always a very active gal who loved to travel and to dance. After her retirement, she spent several winters square dancing in Texas. She also travelled with close friend, Audrey Pringle, to many European countries, as well as Hawaii, Vegas and Alaska.

Bunny was very proud of her four grandchildren. On her 80th birthday, friends and family gathered at “1590” (her place of residence for many years) for a rousing birthday celebration. Her granddaughter, Simone, sang and son-in-law, Al, played the old songs she loved. The traditional “Jeannie’s” birthday cake was served. Sundays she could be found watching “The Lawrence Welk Show” and no calls were appreciated during that time slot.

She was predeceased by an infant son, James Cleve, in 1941; her parents James and Esther Robinson, in 1954 and 1955 respectively; her husband Dick, in 1965; and son-in-law, Alvin Horner, in 2000. Esther is survived by a son, George Jones, his wife Janice, and their sons Christopher Jones and Dr. Michael Jones and his wife Shelley and great-granddaughter, Lauren Salome. She is also survived by her daughter, Patricia Horner, granddaughter Simone and her husband Lt. Col. Richard Pamplin, great-grandchildren Patricia Siobhan, Alvin Richard and Halla Margareta Pamplin as well as grandson Richard Horner, wife Christine, and three great-grandsons: Hadyn Richard, Hawksley Rohan, and Holt Radleigh Horner; brother-in-law Robert Jones and one niece, Beverlee Redina, and three nephews: Robert, Kenneth, and Douglas Jones.

Bunny’s chosen words:

Do not stand at my grave and weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning’s hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

~Mary Elizabeth Frye

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2013 at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Canadian Celiac Association or the Canadian Arthritis Society.