Obituary of Vira May Jones

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of Vira (Vi) May Jones (nee Jessup) on July 30, 2025 at the age of 94.5 years. 

Vi was born in Iroquois Falls, Ontario in 1930, one of 8 children to the late Clifford Sydney and Pearl Thompson Jessup. Following high school she was one of five students in the first dental hygiene program in Canada, graduating in 1953 from the University of Toronto. While in Toronto she saw her first traffic light and met her future husband, the late Robert (Bob) R. Jones from Amherstburg, Ontario who was attending U of T dental school. They married in 1954 and moved to Chatham, Ontario where Bob had started a practice.

Vi’s dental hygiene career included periods working in a periodontal practice in Toronto and later working with the dental public health unit in Kent County identifying school children in need of dental care. 

For the past 60 years Vi was a member of the May Court Club of Chatham and developed hobbies including golf, bridge and playing the piano. Vi loved fashion, reading, watching Jeopardy, dining out, and keeping abreast of the news. A curious conversationalist, Vi had a gift for developing strong friendship bonds with people of all ages and maintained constant correspondence with friends and family through Instagram messages, texts, and emails.  

Following Bob’s death in 1998, Vi was fortunate to meet the late Dave Bradley and enjoyed a 17 year partnership and a close relationship with the Bradley family which she cherished.  

Vi leaves behind her loving family: Stephanie (Patrick); Rob (late Susan); Bill (Anna); and Gord (late Michelle); 8 grandchildren -Spencer (Katie); Jordan (Jen); Sydney; Maddison (Gavin); Riley (Lauren); Cooper; Jessica (Jamie); and Wesley; and 5 great grandchildren - Vivien; Charlie; Hattie; Nash and Teddy. 

She will also be missed by Dave Bradley’s children: Jane; Barb (John) and Curt (Diane) and their special families. Vi also leaves behind sisters Gwen, Vivian, and Patricia, sister-in-law Mary and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the caring staff of Windsor Regional Ouellette Campus and to the staff at London Health Science Victoria Campus for care in her final hours. 

A reception to celebrate Vi will take place on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 3-5 pm. at Casa Bella restaurant in Chatham. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the May Court Club of Chatham.