Obituary of Mary Lou Jones

Towanda PA: Age 89, formerly of Elmira Heights, passed away Friday, July 24, 2015 at the Towanda Skilled Nursing Facility. Mary Lou was born August 27, 1925 in Kingston PA, a daughter of Mary (Rydd) and Willard J. McKensie. She is predeceased by her son Owen M. Jones and grandchildren, Ned and Nora Jones. Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 67 years Owen H. Jones; children, Gregory A. Jones and wife Sharon of Mansfield PA and Clermont FL, Korin M. Jones with Brenda Benninger of Athens PA; daughter-in-law Margaret McLoughlin of Potomac Falls VA; grandchildren; Aidan, Anna and Caelan Jones of Potomac Falls VA, Laurel (Ben) Olney of Hawaii, Kirby Jones of Elmira Heights, James, Breigh, and Eli Benninger-Jones of Athens PA; one great grandson and two great granddaughters; sister Dorothy Lagonegro of Rochester NY; several nephews. Mary Lou grew up in Elmira, graduating from Elmira Free Academy in 1943 and Elmira College in 1947. She obtained her Masters Degree in Education in 1969. Mary Lou worked for Catholic Family Service from 1947 until 1950. She was then a stay at home mom until 1967 when she went to work as a teacher with the Elmira City School District, retiring in 1986. While in Elmira Mary Lou was an active parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and on the Parish Council. She was also active with Friends of the Steele Memorial Library, Arnot Art Museum, AWOL, a driver with Meals on Wheels, a volunteer with Elmira Heights Library,a member of the Elmira Heights Historical Society and a volunteer with the Red Cross Bloodmobile. Mary Lou and Owen moved to Towanda PA several years ago to be closer to their children. Friends are invited to McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira, on Thursday, July 30, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 31, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., St. Charles Borromeo Church, Elmira Heights. Interment, with committal prayers, will follow at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Those wishing may remember Mary Lou with a donation to the Elmira Heights Historical Society, P O Box 2084, Elmira Heights NY 14903.