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ELLEN KATHRYN JONES (PARENT)
Born: May 16, 1928
Date of Passing: Jan 24, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryELLEN KATHRYN JONES (nee PARENT) May 16, 1928 - January 24, 2013 It was with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the passing of Ellen Kathryn Jones (nee Parent) on January 24, 2013 at the age of 84. Ellen was born to Mary Ellen Murray and Joseph Xavier Parent in Foley, Minnesota, May 16, 1928. After her high school graduation in 1946, she went to Stephens College and the University of Minnesota, graduating with an Honour's Degree in Psychology in 1950. She met her future husband William (Bill) George Jones after he graduated from veterinary medicine and went to work for her father. She married Bill on June 14, 1950 and they were blessed with five children: Kathryn, Murray, Charles, George and Michael. Bill and Ellen worked in Duluth, Minnesota before moving to Winnipeg in 1953. They built the Pembina Veterinary Hospital and lived there until they moved their growing family to Fort Garry in 1958. Ellen helped the fledgling family business by working in reception, animal grooming and managing the business accounts. Ellen excelled at everything to which she put her mind (except making wine). She did extensive volunteer work, including serving as President of the Catholic Women's league, President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and was very active volunteering for the provincial Conservative Party. Throughout her life, she enjoyed travelling, reading, family events and Sunday dinners. She also enjoyed her sorority activities, ceramics, painting and her bridge club. She was a stay-at-home mom for a while and also worked at Child and Family Services as a school psychologist. Bill and Ellen celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on June 14, 1975. After Bill's sudden death January 18, 1976, Ellen still had four sons at home. She went to work as the Director of Pregnancy Distress. She worked there until she retired at age 60 in 1988. Ellen then bought a winter home in Sun City, Arizona with her sister-in-law Joan Parent, where they happily spent winters together for the next 20 years. This also became a place where their families and close friends would visit and spend many happy moments. Despite her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis at age 32, being a young widow at 47 and the untimely death of her son George, Ellen always had an enduring positive outlook on life. She was predeceased by her husband Bill in 1976, her brother Murray in 1973, and her son George in 1985. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Kathryn (Don), and her sons Murray (Fiona), Chuck (Denise), Mike (Tina); nine grandchildren: Christopher, Jennifer, Laura, Kristen, Janelle, Paul, Elise, Julia and Adam; and four great-grandchildren: Maya, Liam, Noah and Sam. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law Joan Parent of Foley (MN), Eileen Thorsteinson of BC and a niece and nephews. Prayers will be held at Thomson Funeral Home at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2013. As per Ellen's wishes, there will be an Irish Wake following the prayers. For more information, please email ellenswake@gmail.com. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Parish, 510 River Avenue with Father Sam Argenziano presiding, with reception and lunch to follow. Interment will follow in St. Vital Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. THOMSON FUNERAL HOME 669 BROADWAY, WINNIPEG, MB R3C OX4 783-7211 Condolences may be sent to www.thomsonfuneralchapel.com
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2013
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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Dear Kathryn, Murray, Chuck and Mike. I have many fond memories of Sunday dinners hosted by your Mom and other family gatherings (camping trips for eg). The world has lost a great lady. Please accept my condolences on your loss. Warm regards Nancy Esler - Posted by: Nancy Esler (Famiy Friend) on: Feb 16, 2013
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Mike, Tina, Julia and Adam, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts at this very sad and difficult time. - Posted by: Wendy Parker () on: Jan 30, 2013
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Dear Mike, Tina and Family: While your Mom has left to join your Father and other family before her, she surely leaves a storehouse of fond memories, respect and love for everyone to treasure. Your friend, Larry Meares - Posted by: Larry Meares (friend) on: Jan 30, 2013
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Mike and Tina On behalf of Barbara and our daughters, I want to offer my sincere condolences on your loss. I can only imagine how difficult it has been for you and your family. We didnt know your mother......... but feel like we know her a little after reading that excellent heartfelt obituary. May God's blessings and peace be with you and your family. - Posted by: Derek Rolstone (Co-Worker ) on: Jan 30, 2013
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Who would ever offer to leave town and give up their meticulously maintained home to allow a refuge for a family with 3 children under the age of 5? Ellen. When faced with an emergency Asian return for cancer treatment in Lovey's home town, Ellen offered before asked, not the first time she had taken my hubby under her wing for nurturing, emotional support, and presence. With gratitude perhaps regrettingly never expressed enough, I acceped a kindness I had never experienced without strings attached, without hesitation, without guilt. Ellen Jones's provided us more than a healing home base during our few months of stepping into the unknown, she set an example of how compassion really operates...she taught me that hope manifests through actions. Her bed provided the most peaceful dreams, her kitchen a place where kids colored, ate and assumed the world and everyone around them was normal. So thank you Ellen for taking care of my Big Daddy Splash when he was a young man, and for allowing him the time and space to overcome a big challenge when the odds were stacked against him and grow as a human being, not a human doing. My only regret is that I seriously do not have any recollection of what I did with your pot. L - Posted by: Laura Fenton (Squatter) on: Jan 29, 2013
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Deepest sympathy to the entire family. I have many fond memories of Auntie Ellen. - Posted by: Mark Thorsteinsson (Nephew) on: Jan 29, 2013
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Our thoughts are with you all. Please accept our deepest condolences on your loss. - Posted by: Michael & Brenda Walter () on: Jan 29, 2013
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Our very deepest sympathy on the passing of your Mom, Grandma & Great-Grandma. Keeping you in our thoughts. - Posted by: Paul & Lauren Godin () on: Jan 29, 2013
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Ellen was a good friend to my Mother over the years and was always there to help. Also remember spending time at their house when I was a young boy. - Posted by: Richard Phillips (Family Friend) on: Jan 29, 2013