Rose Jones

Rose Marie Jones died peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 9, 2014 in Boulder, Colo., after many days of long and wonderful visits from friends, family and staff at Frasier Meadows Retirement Community. Rose was born on a farm in Rome, New York in 1925. Her parents, Tekla and Paul Roman, were first-generation immigrants from Ukraine, and she had four older brothers, Nicholas, Michael, Stanley and John. She had a grand time growing up on the farm and in school. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Rochester in 1946 and worked as a practicing nurse until she retired in 1986. Rose married D. Earl Jones, Jr. in 1946 and they spent the early years of their marriage in Hereford, Texas, Dallas and Albuquerque. They thoroughly loved their time in these communities and made many friendships that lasted a lifetime. Their son, Jonathan Jones, was born in Dallas in 1958. In 1961, Rose and Earl moved to Arlington, Va., where she worked at Fairfax Hospital and Earl for the Federal Housing Administration. Their neighborhood in Arlington was very special, and Rose spent huge amounts of time with the neighborhood children and parents, all of whom stayed in touch with her over the years. Rose and Earl moved to Boulder in 1987, where she also established many friendships that she treasured, right up to the end of her time on earth. Jonathan married Karen Powers in 1981 and Rose was eternally grateful for having such a wonderful daughter-in-law. Karen and Jon were blessed with three children, Jennifer (1988), Benjamin (1991) and Claire "Slipper" (1997). There was nothing in the world more special to Rose than her grandchildren. She spent a lot of time with each of them and they consider her one of the most influential and important role models and friends in their upbringing. Rose and Earl were happily married until his death in 1991. She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and her oldest granddaughter's husband, Mark Fordney. She was loved deeply by all of us and we will greatly miss her constant smile, warmth, kindness and interest in others.