The end of a long and robust life came for Jacqueline J. “Jackie” Jones, 93, on August 28, 2022 at her home in Salina, Kansas. The daughter of Lester and Faye Shaw, Jackie was born in Macksville, Kansas, on November 28, 1928. She graduated from Macksville High School in 1946 and attended Kansas State University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
As a teenager Jackie Shaw met Russell Jones just as he was heading off to join the Marines. Thus began a nearly 70 year love story. Upon Russell’s return from service in the Marines, he and Jackie became engaged, and on June 22, 1947 they married. After raising three sons and a daughter in Ellsworth and then Salina, Jackie returned to school and graduated from Marymount College with a bachelor’s degree in Music. She followed that by obtaining a master’s degree in Reading at Kansas State University and then spent a number of years teaching in Salina schools.
As dedicated supporters of Kansas State University, Jackie and Russ enthusiastically attended nearly every home football game in Manhattan, and proudly cheered the Wildcats on at many bowl games. Ever the loyal fan, Jackie never shied from adding the perfect purple and white items to her wardrobe and it was not unusual to see her in some type of KSU garb as she went about her days in Salina.
Jackie loved her family deeply and was a proud wife, mom, grandma, sister and aunt. She was a musician, cyclist, runner, skier, and faithful traveling partner to Russell. She began playing the marimba as a child, and competed in many music festivals and competitions throughout her school years. Jackie continued to perform throughout her adulthood in Salina as part of numerous musical programs at music guild and philanthropic organization meetings, as well as churches she was affiliated with. She also played the piano and had a beautiful alto voice. Her other interests and talents took her on many Backroads Bike trips all over the US, many local rides with fellow cyclists, several tandem bike rallies (including one throughout Europe), on as many ski slopes as possible in Colorado, and saw her as an entrant in countless 10k charity running races around the central Kansas area. Jackie was also a true animal lover; she adored and pampered each of the dogs that were fortunate enough to be a member of the Jones family, and thoroughly enjoyed watching and tending to the birds that visited her back yard. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and PEO Chapter DL.
Preceded in death by her parents, her husband (Russell), and a son (Kevin), Jackie is survived by two sons Lee and Sue (Baker) Jones of Cornville, AZ; Kelly and Gloria (Brewer) Jones of Hastings, MN; one daughter Rhys (Jones) and Neil Miller of Walnut Creek, CA; one sister Ann Knowles of Salina; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and six nieces and nephews.
A private family graveside service will be held on October 15, 2022 at 1:30 pm in the Roselawn Cemetery. A casual reception will follow the graveside service at 2:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 E. Neal Ave., Salina, KS.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Salina Animal Services, the Kansas State University Foundation or Trinity United Methodist Church of Salina.
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