Marie Jones Obituary

Jones (Martin), F. Marie (93) – Dartmouth

Marie Jones, a loving and devoted mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, educator and friend, died Wednesday, October 23, 2024, in the Admiral Long Term Care Centre, Dartmouth.

A lifelong ‘Dartmouth girl’, Marie was born on November 14, 1930, to the late Francis ‘Frank’ Martin and Mary Catherine ‘Minnie’ (Pugh).

Marie is survived by four beloved children: her son, Martin Jones (Ann) and three daughters; Dr. Teresa Dykeman (Paul), Angela Jones-Rieksts (Mark) and Marie Moir. Marie is survived by 14 grandchildren (each one her favourite): David Jones (Emma), Catherine Jones (Evan), Dr. Jonathan Dykeman (Meghan), Cassandra Dykeman, Foster Wright, Marie Wright, Meaghan Wright, Markus Rieksts, Cecilia Rieksts, Anna Rieksts, David Rieksts, Joseph Rieksts, Paula Moir and James Moir and great-grandchildren Gideon Dykeman and Felicity Dykeman. She is survived by her sisters Frances Giovannetti and Evelyn Fay.

Marie was predeceased by her loving husband, David I. Jones, her parents, Frank and Minnie Martin, her in-laws, Alexander William Jones and Lillian (Lyons) Jones and her brothers Gerry Martin and Jimmy Martin. Marie was predeceased by two beautiful children: David Martin Jones and Paula Jones-Wright.

The highlight of Marie’s life was her fifty-eight-year marriage to David. Marie’s devotion to him was unequalled, especially during the last two years before his death. They always reminisced about Mount Saint Vincent University days, the Martin family camp at Burnside (on the Bedford Basin), summers with family on the beach at Pictou and Prince Edward Island, long Sunday drives, Dartmouth Natal Day (viewing the parade from their verandah) and big family dinners. Nana recently commented that her favourite memories were taking her grandchildren for walks to see the ducks and geese at Sullivan’s Pond.

Marie and David proudly resided in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia for the full length of their adoring marriage. Their children have all raised their own families in Dartmouth. Marie enjoyed countless hours as a spectator at hockey rinks, Banook Canoe Club & Lake Banook, ballfields, recital halls and gymnasiums. As a young girl, Marie loved paddling in Banook war canoes and fondly remembered being asked to play the organ at St. Peter’s to mark the end of the Second World War.

The Liberal Party has lost a dedicated supporter (as indicated by the large red and white election signs on the front lawn of her Prince Albert Road home). Nana loved watching her 'boyfriend' Justin Trudeau on the news and had fond memories of seeing him in person, with her late daughter Paula, as a delegate at the 2006 Liberal Convention. Marie attended, with her husband David, the 1968 Liberal Convention where she helped focus party attention on the up-and-coming Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

Marie loved to teach, whether in the Dartmouth school system, helping her grandchildren with assignments  or encouraging residents of the Admiral during group activities (especially singing and playing the piano). She was proud of her two Mount Saint Vincent degrees (BA and B. Ed.) and was honoured to be undergraduate class president (and later President of the MSVU Alumni Association). A highlight of Marie’s life was receiving her Master of Arts in Education from Dalhousie University in 2023, at the age of 92.

Marie’s family deeply appreciates the support and kindness of the staff at the Admiral and her caregivers.

Visitation will take place Friday, October 25, 2024, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm at the Dartmouth Funeral Home, 29 Queen Street. Funeral mass will be held in Saint Peter Church, 10 Maple Street, Dartmouth, on Saturday, October 26 at 1pm, Father James Mallon officiating. Reception to be held, the following day - Sunday, October 27, 1pm to 3pm, at Brightwood Golf Club (227 School Street, Dartmouth). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David M. Jones Scholarship Fund at Dalhousie University Law School or in Marie’s name at Mount Saint Vincent University.