Obituary of Joy Jones

It is with sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our loving Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma Joy Lovaine Jones (Fretts) on July 3, 2021, at the age of 94 years.  She was born on October 16, 1926 in Scottdale, Pennsylvania, while her parents were visiting her father’s birthplace and family. Joy lived 90 years near McCord, SK. As a child, her family farmed ten miles south of town. She walked three miles to Pebble Hill School and boarded nearby in the winter.  In 1942, her family moved into McCord where she finished grade twelve and worked in the grain elevator office. In the fall of 1944, her family of five, along with Mel and Eileen Shirley moved in a motor car to Vancouver, BC. Love called Joy back to Saskatchewan and on December 4, 1946, she married her soulmate Lloyd Jones in Regina, SK. They lived for two years at the George Jones farm north of McCord. In 1950, they settled on Lloyd’s parents farm where they resided for the next seventy years, raising various grains, hay, cattle and chickens. Family and farming were the center of Joy’s life. Her steady calm routine and hard-working ethics contributed to their farm and family flourishing. Family get-togethers were highlights. Great times revolved around her kitchen table where her family enjoyed her warm and nourishing home, great meals and baking, especially her chocolate cake. She truly loved supporting and being involved in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives from music, dance to school sports, etc.  Her caring nature also shone through in her love for animals as well as other people’s animals.  Joy took pride in the McCord community and was actively involved in cooking, baking, planting flowers, cleaning and volunteering on various committees such as the rink and the Museum. Also, when a bus was needed to transport local students in the ’60s and ’70s Joy and Lloyd used their station wagon.  She was an original member of the Meyronne Bowling Club and later the Glentworth Bowling Club, organizing her weekly bowling team up to the age of 90 years. Lloyd and Joy enjoyed travelling throughout North America visiting family and friends. She continued to travel after Loyd’s passing, making new friends on casino bus trips, cruises and warm Mexico trips with her daughters and friends up to the age of 90. In 2018, Joy moved to Assiniboia and resided at Prairie Villa. For the last five weeks of her life, she received care at the Assiniboia Union Hospital Long Term Care. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the good friends and neighbors who supported Joy throughout her life. Thank you to Dr. Glaeske, Nurse Practioner Raegan Rasmussen and all the staff at Prairie Villa and AUHLTC for their exceptional care. Joy is reunited in heaven with her husband Lloyd Jones (dec’d 1999), daughter Sheryl Ann (dec’d 2020), granddaughter Carmen (dec’d 2018) and grandson Jared Olliver (dec’d 1982).  She leaves to mourn her son Dale Lloyd Jones; granddaughter Randi (Greg) DeBruyne, great-grandchildren Matthew (Brooke) and Jordan; granddaughter Dalise (Marlon) Hector, great-grandchildren Zuri and Lyrin; grandson Dana (Cherrylene), Jones great-grandchildren Sage Racette-Campbell, Seamus, Dexter and Kingston; granddaughter Tara (Michael) Johnston, great-grandchildren Maesa and Bohdi; grandson Cody (Kristen) Jones; son in law Dale Reader; grandson Daryl Reader; daughter Linda Joy (Murray) McCrank; granddaughter Jennifer (Jason) Briggs, great-grandchildren Eden and Ivy; granddaughter Kerri (Kevin) Niemitalo, great-grandchildren Kitt and Kollins; daughter Debra Lee (Rickey) Olliver; grandson Scott (Becky) Olliver, great-grandchild Daylynn; grandson Trent (Christine) Olliver, great-grandchildren Teagan, Hadley, Bentley; son Robert Wilmer (Shelley) Jones; grandson Brennan Jones (T’Neil – Kacey and Ava); grandson Brayden Jones (Kaitlynn); granddaughter Becky-Jo Jones (John); and sister-in-law Marlene Jones.  She is also predeceased by her mother Augustina Della Tweedie nee Nunweiler (dec’d 1993) and father Merle Boyd Fretts (dec’d 1990); brother Dale Albert (dec’d 2011) and sister-in-law Joyce (dec’d 2001) Fretts; sister Nola Lorraine Fretts (dec’d 2015); father-in-law Robert (dec’d 1951) and mother-in-law Laura (dec’d 1968) Jones; sister-in-law Thelma (dec’d 2010) and brother-in-law Albert (dec’d 1955) Lockhart; brother-in-law Mansel (dec’d 2006) and sister-in-law Myrtle (dec’d 2008) Jones; brother-in-law Wilmer Jones (dec’d 2000).

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday July 10, 2021, 2:00 pm at the McCord Community Hall, McCord Saskatchewan.