Joan M. Jones

Joan Margaret Jones February 9, 1940 – March 18, 2021 Joan Margaret Jones, 81, of Binghamton, NY, passed through the portal of death to the place prepared for her by our Savior on March 18, 2021. She was born in Niagara Falls, NY on February 9, 1940 to Harold and Margaret Coleman, who predeceased her. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, the Rev. C. James Jones, sons, Mark D. and Jennifer Jones, Binghamton, and Christopher C. and Terijo Jones, Vestal; treasured granddaughters; Brittanie (John Crayton), Kelsey (Vivian), Stephanie, and Makenna. She leaves behind, brother, William (Marlene) Coleman, Florida and Michigan, sisters, Susan Howard, New Hampshire, Carol Battista (Joe), Carmel, NY; aunt, Doris Istead, Picton, Ontario; brother-in-law, Lawrence (Joan) Jones, Dever, CO; sister-in-law, Dolores Jones, Lewiston, plus many nieces, nephews. cousins and friends. Joan met her husband while a student at LaSalle High School, Niagara Falls, NY and became engaged upon graduation. They were seldom separated for over 63 years. They traveled together to Buffalo to attend Erie County Tech for her and SUNY Buffalo for Jim. Following her graduation, they were married on August 27, 1960 and settled in North Collins, NY where she was employed as a Dental Hygiene Teacher in the Central School system. She attended SUNY Cortland to receive her School Dental Hygiene Teaching Certification. It was here that her love of sewing began. Moving to Alexandria, VA for her husband’s Theological Training, she worked for the Arlington School System as a School Dental Hygiene Teacher until the birth of their first son. She was able to work part-time and participated in classes for seminarian’s wives. She learned how to knit from her mother-in-law who visited to help with the baby. Upon her husband’s ordination and acceptance of a call, they moved to Elmira Height, NY where her second son was born. She worked for several dentists and took an active role in the parishes. A new call led them to the Church of the Good Shepherd, Binghamton, NY. Interested in education, not only of her own, but of all children, she became active in the MacArthur Parent Teachers Association. She advanced to District Director and state level and was awarded Life Membership by the State Association for her service. Being concerned with the nutritional value of school lunches, she worked with the Binghamton School system for improvement. Her love of people and ability to draw out their stories was honed as Co-host of the Encounter TV program for the Broome County Council of Churches with Jim. She worked as Coordinator of the Ministry with the Aging, also for the Council of Churches. In that capacity she worked with many local agencies and began support groups for Care Givers. Joan ended her working career as a secretary for the Roman Catholic TLS program, becoming like a mother to many of the residents. Joan was a long time chaplain to retired clergy and surviving spouses until Parkinson’s prevented her from her serving in this capacity. Joan’s interests were wide ranging, active in parish, the Episcopal district and community organizations. She was the first editor of the Episcopal District’s newsletter and took courses at BCC in Word processing and proof readings to help. She had a collection of dolls, ranging from story book dolls received as a child to figurines by Maud Humphrey Bogart purchased a few years ago. Another collection was bells of all sizes and shapes. She began a neighborhood supper club; the only requirement was to have a new recipe to share. Joan’s passion was in all kinds of needlework, from making her own and children’s clothes, to knitting gifts and winning awards for her embroidery. She was a member of the Embroiderer’s and Quilting Guilds at various times. She took many needle-work courses. Although Parkinson’s Disease robbed her of her abilities, she enjoyed the monthly meetings with a close group of like mined women. She valued their friendship and care. Family was everything to Joan, which became close traveling in a trailer. Trips were made from Maine to Colorado; Picton, Ontario to Amish Country, Pennsylvania and summers were spent at Greenwood and State Parks. When the children grew the trailer went and she joined Jim on many Road Scholar programs. Anyone who knew Joan knew her infectious laugh and knew that if she was laughing things could not be that bad. A gracious woman of deep faith, she will be greatly missed. A Memorial Mass will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, April 10, 2021 at Christ Church, 10 Henry Street, Binghamton with the Reverend Elizabeth Ewing officiating. Family will receive friends in the church lounge from 10:00 am until the time of services. Joan will be interred in the family plot in Niagara Falls Memorial Park later this summer. Donations in memory made be made to Christ Episcopal Church, Parkinson’s Foundation. To view Joan’s complete obituary and forward condolences please visit www.demunn.com Arrangements for the family are directed by the DeMunn Funeral Home.