Laura M Jones

Laura died in her home in Saskatoon. She was 99. She asked that we acknowledge Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) and the doctors from that program for “allowing me to have such a joyful death”. Her capacity for friendship, and love of family, was on display the last two weeks of her life, as visitors came from Seattle, B.C., Alberta and across Saskatchewan to say hello and good-bye. More numerous were the messages. She was born at Matador, Saskatchewan, the fifth of six children, to John Reginald Cluff and Olive Myrtle Pinkerton. Still a teenager, she attended Normal School, where she roomed with other young women. They became known as The Gang and circulated a chain letter for over seven decades, a true example of BFF. They later held reunions every second summer. All of her daughters had the experience of their friends becoming Laura’s friends. She taught in one-room schools at Russelton and then Alluvia, near Zealandia. There she married Arthur Jones and joined him in all aspects of family farming. They had five daughters. She enjoyed far-reaching conversations with the United Church ministers that came to Zealandia. In the church she helped establish a library. She was in her forties when she began weekly commutes 70 miles to Saskatoon to take night classes at the U of S, eventually obtaining an honours BA after the family moved to Saskatoon in 1964. Library School in Toronto, then work at the Saskatoon Public Library established her second career and more life-long friends. The library world gave her a special connection to PEI and Zambia. She marched against the war in Vietnam. Laura was a strong advocate for women’s rights, especially Abortion Law Repeal. Many gatherings and work parties were held in her home. Retirement gave time for visits to PEI and wherever her daughters were living. For the last 15 years she traveled to B.C. every summer to visit her beloved brother Andrew. Along the way she relaxed in the sun of Shuswap Lake. No matter the place, a crossword puzzle was always at hand. She especially enjoyed cryptics and delighted in drawing others into their solving. She was a gardener her whole life and her apple pie and strawberry jam were enjoyed by four generations. Her bold colour sense went into the creation of dozens of quilts that found their way onto beds and laps across the country. She was an avid reader of all genres and we all looked forward to her Christmas letter that included her booklist for that year. Laura was predeceased by her eldest daughter Sheila Jones Steele and her grandson Steven Dale Ripplinger and all her siblings. She is survived by her daughters Patricia LaBorde (George), Monica (Roger Annis), Mary Lou (Bob Holoch) and Donalda, and grandchildren Kevin, Heather, Cameron, Marlon, Daniel, Zak, Ella and Katie and six greats. A special thanks to the Home Care bathers, Dr. Wu, Dr. Rawlings and Dr. Hammer. To explore end of life options, including the MAiD program, call the Health Line at 811.The family has designated the REALM Foundation for memorial contributions. Donations may be mailed to 315 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK S4N 0P5 or at www.realmfoundation.ca. REALM is a Regina based charity supporting people with high physical disabilities and their families. Our family thanks you. A celebration of life will be held in late spring. Please contact Mary Lou at [email protected] to leave your contact information if you are interested in being notified of this celebration.