Meredith F. Jones

MEREDITH FOOTE JONES If you want something done, ask a busy person. Meredith Foote Jones, 79 loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away Friday, November 19, 2010 from brain cancer. She was born February 17, 1931 to George F. and Helen (Lambkins) Foote in Norwalk, Connecticut. Meredith graduated from Norwalk High School in 1948 and Skidmore College in 1952. In 1955 she married Thomas R. Jones. They lived in Connecticut and Massachusetts until moving to Roseburg, Oregon in 1972. She spent much of her life outdoors, gardening was a favorite. When her children were young she was a Girl Scout Leader and Den Mother. Her nickname was "Birdie" at Girl Scout summer camps in New England. Meredith was active in the Umpqua Valley Audubon Society, helping start and build the Stewart Park Nature Trail. She spent much of her time bird watching and reporting bird populations to the USFS. Meredith enjoyed travel and her love of birding took her to every continent except Antarctica. Recently, she had taken up finding and identifying dragonflies. Her community involvement included the Roseburg Parks Department, UCC Adult Education, Umpqua Community Health Center and Prescription Assistance. She sat as a board member for some of these and other organizations. Each winter she crocheted 100 hats and mittens for children in Head Start. For many years she sang in the First United Methodist Church Choir and the Roseburg Community Concert Chorale. Meredith was a lifelong tennis player with a wicked drop-shot. She loved the competition and her tennis buddies. Survivors include her husband Thomas R. Jones; sons Josh and Jeff Jones; daughter Elizabeth Johnson; grandchildren Mallory Jones, Sophia and Maiya Johnson and many, many loving friends. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Meredith's memory to the Roseburg Community Cancer Center.