JONES, Janet Gold
(nee: Nettie Marshall)
December 10, 1907 - July 31, 2004
In her 97th year, at St. Joseph’s Hospital Extended Care, Comox, Janet quietly completed her long and generous life.
Janet was born in Cumberland General Hospital to Mary and William Marshall. Her mother was a daughter of the pioneer Bennie family of Cumberland while her father had left his Nova Scotia home to come west in 1899.
The Marshalls lived at Union Bay where Mr. Marshall worked as an engineer on the Canadian Collieries coal-loading trains. The second of five children, Janet is predeceased by her sister Jessie and brothers: Bill, Duncan, and Donald.
After finishing Grade 8 Janet worked as a mother’s helper until, encouraged by the company nurse, she entered the Royal Jubilee School of Nursing in Victoria, graduating in 1929 as a Registered Nurse. She then joined the staff of the Cumberland Hospital, leaving in 1933 upon marriage to Harold Jones. In 1952 Janet returned to nursing at Cumberland Hospital, staying for over a decade.
In the early years Janet, Harold, and their two children lived on Powerhouse Road near the Puntledge Power Station where Harold was employed. Later they moved to Mission Hill and in retirement to Comox. Throughout, they enjoyed long summers at Kye Bay, in a succession of tents and cabins built on property purchased in 1935. The same property continues to be treasured by the family today.
After her husband’s death in 1985 Janet remained in Comox, but in 1997 chose to transfer to Casa Loma Seniors Residence in Courtenay. Only in the last two years did her increasingly fragile health lead to Extended Care.
The eternal caregiver and friend, Janet was cherished for her warmth, wit, sense of fun, and unfailing optimism. She is fondly remembered by all who were fortunate to know her: during childhood at Union Bay, in her nursing career, as a member of the Florence Chapter Eastern Star and the Plateau Chapter Registered Nurses, at St. George’s United Church, the d’Esterre Seniors Centre, and Casa Loma.
She leaves, along with precious memories of love and laughter, her son Ronald Jones and his partner Bryan Olson of North Vancouver, daughter Marilyn Simms of Kye Bay, grandson Graham Simms and his wife Fiona of North Vancouver, grandson Ted Simms and his wife Erika of Steveston, and great-grandchildren: Duncan, Alasdair, Carolyn and Hannah; also remembered with affection by her sister-in-law Audrey Marshall of Campbell River, her nephew and nieces, special grandniece Tracy Ramshaw, and dear friend Tom Simms, Vancouver.
Heartfelt thanks goes to Carol Telford, Dr. Jonathan Reggler, and the good people at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Eagleview Extended Care for the excellent, gentle care that Janet so appreciated.
I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, and the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
George Weiss / Bob Thiele
A Service of loving memory will be held on Friday, August 27, 2004 at 2:30 pm from the Chapel of Piercy’s - Mt. Washington Funeral Home, 440 England Ave., Courtenay, BC.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Janet’s memory be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation - Extended Care, Comox, or to a charity of choice.