The longtime resident of Pacific Palisades was born the youngest of nine children of the late Denis and Rose Callaghan in Corbyville, Ontario, Canada on her family’s farm. As a girl, Helen attended a one room schoolhouse, pitched in on the farm chores, and received love and kindness from her large family. As a teenager she met her future husband, Edgar Allan “Ted” Jones, Jr., when he spent summers with Canadian cousins on a nearby farm. Following in her sisters’ steps, she became a nurse in Kingston graduating second in her class.
On September 15, 1945, Helen and Ted married in Corbyville, a union that would last 68 years. After the birth of their eldest, they moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, where Ted attended the University of Virginia Law School. They drove to California in a “woody” station wagon with 4 young children where Ted began teaching at the newly created UCLA School of Law.
In the following years she fulfilled her dream of a large family becoming the proud mother of 11 children. Helen's life centered around her faith, family and friends.
Helen believed in the power of prayer and good deeds. She attended daily Mass and volunteered in her community with Meals on Wheels. As a couple, Helen and Ted engaged in intellectual and spiritual inquiry befriending, supporting and seeking spiritual guidance from theologian Hans Kung, Cardinal Peter Poreku Dery Tamale of Ghana, and Father Vincent Martin of Saint Andrew's Abbey in Valyermo, California, among others. In her final years following Ted’s death, she enjoyed the spiritual support of Father Francis Benedict of the Abbey.
Throughout the years, she filled her home with kindness and warmth. She raised her children with unconditional love and devotion, helping solve problems and celebrating triumphs, and always encouraging their individuality. She made time for each of her children with “nights up,” cook/shopper of the week in the summer, and birthday “date” dinners out with just Mom and Dad.
She treasured family gatherings, creating unforgettable birthday and holiday celebrations. All her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have fond memories of her kindness and love, often receiving little gifts, even if it wasn't their birthday, so no one would feel left out.
Helen loved to garden, delighted in classical music concerts, was an avid reader, enjoyed receiving and arranging flowers, and was a master at creating delicious meals for her family. She was willing to innovate, testing out new recipes on her children when her husband was out of town.
Helen enjoyed life and you could find her out on the dance floor with Ted whenever the opportunity arose! She threw cocktail and dinner parties and enjoyed monthly bridge games with friends. She hosted Ted's seminar students annually, and the Jones house and backyard was the place for the neighborhood kids to hang out. They were greeted with love, cookies, and lots fun activities. It was a home designed for kids. She made friends in all aspects of her life including church, school, her neighborhood, and her husband's work. Helen traveled worldwide with her husband and close friends. She was a remarkable woman, much loved by all who knew her.
Helen is survived by her 11 children: Linda (Gil) Limón, Anne Hacker, Carol (Steve) Sims, Terry (Suzanne), Denis (Vicki), Bob (Tina), David (Anne), Therese, Catherine Desmond, Nancy (Todd) Harrington, and Daniel (Janine), as well as 23 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved Ted, her husband of 68 years, Allen Hacker, Bill Desmond, and her 8 brothers and sisters.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private graveside burial will take place on February 23, 2021, officiated by Monsignor Liam Kidney of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrew's Abbey Monks of Valyermo Ministry, Development Office, P.O. Box 40, Valyermo, CA 93563 https://www.saintandrewsabbey.com/Articles.asp?ID=269
or Meals on Wheels https://www.mealsonwheelswest.org/donate/ .
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