May 16, 1928 – January 24, 2013
It was with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Ellen Kathryn Jones (nee Parent) on January 24, 2013 at the age of 84.
Ellen was born to Mary Ellen Murray and Joseph Xavier Parent in Foley, Minnesota, May 16, 1928. After her high school graduation in 1946, she went to Stephens College and the University of Minnesota, graduating with an Honour’s Degree in Psychology in 1950. She met her future husband William (Bill) George Jones after he graduated from veterinary medicine and went to work for her father. She married Bill on June 14, 1950 and they were blessed with 5 children: Kathryn, Murray, Charles, George and Michael.
Bill and Ellen worked in Duluth, Minnesota before moving to Winnipeg in 1953. They built the Pembina Veterinary Hospital and lived there until they moved their growing family to Fort Garry in1958. Ellen helped the fledgling family business by working in reception, animal grooming and managing the business accounts.
Ellen excelled at everything to which she put her mind (except making wine). She did extensive volunteer work, including serving as President of the Catholic Women’s league, President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and was very active volunteering for the provincial Conservative Party. Throughout her life, she enjoyed traveling, reading, family events and Sunday dinners. She also enjoyed her sorority activities, ceramics, painting and her bridge club. She was a stay-at-home mom for a while and also worked at Child and Family Services as a school psychologist.
Bill and Ellen celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on June 14, 1975. After Bill’s sudden death January18, 1976, Ellen still had 4 sons at home. She went to work as the Director of Pregnancy Distress. She worked there until she retired at age 60 in 1988.
Ellen then bought a winter home in Sun City, Arizona with her sister-in-law Joan Parent, where they happily spent winters together for the next 20 years. This also became a place where their families and close friends would visit and spend many happy moments.
Despite her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis at age 32, being a young widow at 47 and the untimely death of her son George, Ellen always had an enduring positive outlook on life. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1976, her brother Murray in 1973, and her son George in 1985. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Kathryn (Don), and her sons Murray (Fiona), Chuck (Denise), Mike (Tina); 9 grandchildren: Christopher, Jennifer, Laura, Kristen, Janelle, Paul, Élise, Julia and Adam; and 4 great-grandchildren: Maya, Liam, Noah and Sam. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Joan Parent of Foley (MN), Eileen Thorsteinson of BC and a niece and nephews.
Prayers will be held at Thomson Funeral Home at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. As per Ellen’s wishes, there will be an Irish Wake following the prayers. For more information, please email [email protected].
A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Parish, 510 River Avenue with Father Sam Argenziano presiding, with reception and lunch to follow. Interment will follow in St. Vital Parish Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
THOMSON FUNERAL HOME
669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4
783-7211
Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com
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