Obituary of Mary Lou Jones

Survived by:

Daughters Zoie and Katie Jones (Johnny Hill) 

Granddaughter Addison Patricia Louise Hill

Siblings Richard Jones (2014), John Jones, Betty Anne Richard, Robert Jones and Michael Jones.

And dear friend and sister Cathy Page.

How to describe the indomitable spirit such was Mary Lou Jones?
Mary Lou was a strong woman with a bright mind; a true force of nature with a memorable and hearty laugh. She was a positive influence and taught many about being confident and true to themselves. Told often as a little girl to keep it down, she grew up into the kind of woman who would not keep it down, using her strong voice to speak for those in her beloved women's community who could not.

Born February 2, 1948 to Loma (Mulvihill) and Richard William Jones, Mary Lou was a military brat and spent her childhood moving about various military outposts throughout Canada. Not the easiest of childhoods, she endured, and went on to put herself through art college. After graduating, Mary Lou worked as a medical artist at University Hospital. She adopted two little girls from St. Vincent in the Grenadines, Zavique Zoie Jones and Katelyn Elizabeth Kyndra Jones. Mary Lou went back to school to complete a Masters of Education in Counseling and a diploma in Art Therapy; working for several years at various counseling agencies before retiring.

Who was Mary Lou Jones? She was an artist with the uncanny ability to conjure beauty from the mundane. A graduate from the Ontario College of Art in Toronto, she was an incredible talent. She loved sharing and exploring art with others, especially on Tuesdays with those in her ‘Creativitea’. She was a coffee connoisseur whose studio admission consisted of a Starbucks Pike Place.

Mary Lou was a singer who dabbled in musical theatre in her youth. As a mother her resounding alto wove original lullabies for her girls. In her formative years she joined her voice to Women's Spirit Song choir.

She was a feminist, activist and fighting spirit. She was a single mother of two and grandmother to her precious ‘Addie Patti Lou Lou’.

Mary Lou was an amazing friend, the kind you went on long buggy rides with down memory lane, windows rolled down laughing and reminiscing; completely lost in time.

This woman would move heaven and earth to make her children happy, but also provide them the tools to move their own mountains.

Mary Lou’s effervescence cultured a large community of friends that became more like family, and we are grateful to all during this time.

Surrounded by friends and family Mary Lou went out like she lived, capturing the moment with “Shiver Me Timbers” by Bette Midler and offering some final words of comfort to her loved ones. She is missed every day. We hope she rests well knowing that she is loved.

**A celebration of life will be held at the end of September. Date to be announced.**