(nee Simmons)
Born: November 6, 1918 in Cannock, England
Passed Away: October 9, 2018 in Kimberley, British Columbia
Age: 99.92

Dora first came to Canada in 1943 to visit her RAF husband Ron who was stationed in Carberry, MB. She emigrated to Neepawa, MB in 1948 with their sons Michael and Peter. In 1949 their son Eric was born. The Jones family moved to the Northwest Territories in 1958 settling into Fort Smith and their house on Field Street, which Dora lived in until 2014. Dora worked for the Department of Education, retiring in 1983. Both she and Ron were ordained lay readers in St. Johns Anglican Church and were vital forces during transition times between ministers. Ron played the organ and Dora’s alto voice led the choir. Along with her beautiful singing voice, she played the piano and fostered a love for music in the Jones family that continues today. Dora’s baking skills were outstanding – church bazaars are not the same without her bread, doughnuts and Christmas cookies. Sunday dinners were a splendid affair; roast beef or pork with all the trimmings, always in elegant presentation. Dora passed on these culinary skills to each of her three sons.

After Ron passed away in 1977, Dora had to learn at age 59 how to drive a car and take control of the household finances. She became a fearless world traveler, visiting far flung places such as Tunisia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Hungary, Nepal, Hawaii and Alaska.

Dora had such a way with words. Trained as an elocutionist by her mother Edith, she could recite poems and verses entirely by rote, “Albert and the Lion” being a crowd favourite. She loved puzzles of all kinds – crossword, word plays and especially jigsaw puzzles. She wrote many a thoughtful sermon and produced an annual Christmas family newsletter for decades. Dora was a stickler for grammar, would argue black is white anytime of the day and was renowned for her quick wit and sharp tongue.

She acted in plays and pantomimes, square danced, led Cub Scouts and Girl Guide troops and participated in the Terry Fox Run for years – no one could turn her down when she asked for a donation! Despite not being blessed with a green thumb, she persisted in her gardening and made a delicious zucchini relish.

Her “game closet” was a grandkid’s treasure trove with board games stacked to the ceiling and a seemingly endless supply of candy and chocolate (Dora had a fierce sweet tooth). She was the best grandma you could ask for – loving affectionate and jolly good fun!

She was a true Renaissance woman – she was resourceful, creative, generous and an avid life-long learner. “Mrs. Jones” was beloved by so many; in fact, the Town of Fort Smith elected her twice “Elder of the Year”. Born under the fireworks of Armistice celebrations, she died in her sleep, just 28 days short of her 100th birthday. Her passing leaves a hole in the hearts that loved her that will never be filled.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thank you for the diligent, loving care extended to Dora in the last four years of her life at Garden View and then the Kimberley Special Care Home. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Pines Memorial Society, 386 – 2nd Avenue, Kimberley, British Columbia, V1A 2Z8 would be appreciated.

www.mcphersonfh.com