Donelda Jean Jones (nee Tomes, nee Green)
After a very brief illness, Mom passed away peacefully with her daughters by her side at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at the age of 77.
Mom was born in South Porcupine and raised in Timmins, Brantford, and Beamsville, Ontario. When Mom was five years old, she met our Dad, William Murray Tomes, at the Santa Claus parade in Toronto and they became good friends. In her youth, Mom enjoyed summers at the cottage on North Horn Lake with her family and cousin Carrol, picking fruit in the orchards around her home in Beamsville, working at Cole's Flower Shop, laughing with her friends from CGIT, and travelling to Buffalo to dance on American Bandstand. After graduating from Beamsville High School (forever green and gold), Mom moved to Toronto to work for Canada Life where she also played baseball. In all this time, there was always a connection with Dad who lived all over Ontario. After his family settled in Red Rock, their friendship grew into love. They were married in 1964 and built a house in Red Rock and raised three daughters. Mom worked casually at Domtar in her ideal vocation as switchboard operator. Her Red Rock years included many social gatherings with friends and neighbours, the United Church, TOPS, the Lioness Club, and many summers at our camp on Stewart Lake.
Mom bravely survived true sadness with the sudden loss of our sister, Patty and our Dad.
Mom eventually found love again with Allan Jones and moved to Nipigon. There she developed new friendships, joined the United Church Choir, travelled to the west and east coasts, and took a Caribbean cruise that included Jamaica. Al's family loved Mom and made her part of their family. Following Al's passing, Mom set out on a new path and moved to Barrie. This stage of her life brought the hope of new adventures, friends and laughs. As part of the Imperial Apartments Seniors Group, her laughter filled the halls during coffee club gatherings.
Mom's culinary talents were legendary. We always knew when supper was ready because the smoke alarm was going off. She always said 'if you can't cook it at 500, you can't cook it'. Her signature dish was Rice Krispie squares with 'trimetttes'. Many a debt was paid by a fresh tray. She also loved a good bargain with Dollarama and 'Humpy' Tiger being her favourite haunts. Writing poetry was also a great love; honouring friends with prose for many a celebration.
'All that joy and love of fun is no longer.'
Predeceased by our Dad, William Murray Tomes, daughter Patricia Ann, father Charles Mason Green, mother Elva Jean Green, sister-in-law Eileen MacDonald, and second husband Allan Edward Jones. She will always be a beloved mother of Laurie (Frank Lorenowich), Amber (Kevin Fitzpatrick) and the late Patricia “Patty”. Proud grandmother of Katie, Sarah, Mason, Maggie and Tessa. Dear sister of Doug Green (Eva) Green. Lovingly remembered by cousin Carrol Wakefield (Ray, Andrew, Leslie, and Erica). She will be missed by her step-family Gordon Jones (Tammy, Kenzie, and Nicole), Nancy Caldwell (Scott), and Pat Jones (Chris) and many extended family members and friends.
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff and volunteers of the RVRHC Palliative Care Unit for their wonderful care of Mom especially Dr. Ogunsina, Dr. Schecter, Sandra, Bethany, and Dainty. Memorial donations may be made to RVH Cancer and Palliative Care Unit or The War Amps. Online condolences and memories may be forwarded via www.steckleygooderham.com.
A special coffee club get-together will be held in January at Imperial Towers for friends and family in Barrie to share stories and laughs in Mom's honour. A celebration of life will be held in Nipigon in the spring followed by a family gathering at Horn Lake in the summer.
"The death of a Mother is the first sorrow wept without her".