Marion Jones celebrated a milestone with friends on Friday afternoon.
Last month, she actually turned 100 years old and spent it with her family. Her neighbours at Canterbury Place in Courtenay though wanted to wish her well and organized an event, complete with cake, for Aug. 6.
“Marion is an original resident here,” said organizer Michele Morton. “She’s one of our last remaining original residents.”
The main event though was the unveiling of a maple tree and birthday plaque in her honour. It was under wraps, and Jones got the chance to pull off the cover with a fishing rod.
“We have chosen a gift that will live on for the next 100 years,” Morton said.
The guest of honour was touched when she saw what her friends had done.
“Well, thank you very much,” she said. “I never thought of anything like this.”
Jones was born in Rokeby, Sask., on a homestead that is still in the family. She took nurses training and was working in a hospital in Manitoba when she met future husband Harold. He joined the Air Force after the couple was married, and they moved around for his many postings, which included Comox. They came back to the area and bought a hobby farm in Merville until Harold passed away in 1992.
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It was then that she moved to her current home. She got involved in many community groups and activities, and she has been an avid traveller to places like Australia and Africa.
Over the years, the couple had four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Daughters Linda Jones and Sharon Fraser joined her on Friday.
“She was still going to her exercises until COVID hit,” daughter Linda said.
mike.chouinard@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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