FREDA JONES
Freda A. Jones, 96, of Chichester, NH died Sunday, June 5, 2022 at Havenwood Heritage Heights in Concord, NH where she received wonderful care from a staff that became like family.
She was born in Royalston, MA, Sept. 14, 1925 to Hollis B. Chase and Phyllis (Moore) Chase. Both were direct descendants of mid 1600’s New England settlers and “planters,” with multiple relatives of historic interest.
On May 24, 1947, she married WWII Coast Guard veteran William L. Jones, Sr. (Bill). In 1952 they moved to a farm they purchased in Chichester, NH. Jones Dairy Farm is still operated by their son Gordon and wife Marion.
From the beginning of their marriage, she met each situation that presented itself with an unusual level of quiet grace and strength that characterized her entire life.
While running their household of six children, Freda found a way to manage finances, fetch parts for broken equipment, fill in for any farm chore when needed, and serve multiple civic and church roles.
This included early years at the Chichester and later, Pittsfield Congregational Churches. Bean suppers, Dorcas Guild, fundraisers all benefitted from her knitting, sewing, cooking skills, and humor. The Chichester Elementary School Board also benefitted from her wisdom and leadership for over 20 years.
In 1989, five years after their farmhouse was gutted by fire, their “retirement” started when Bill suffered a farming accident that left him paralyzed. This required her full time attention until he passed away in 1997. They would spend winters in Phoenix, AZ and the rest of the year in New Hampshire.
In the summers she maintained extensive flower beds along the roadside by the farm on Pleasant St. and entertained her growing family. All looked forward to a trip to the farm, especially her cooking – blueberry pancakes or waffles, pies from the seasonal berries she loved to pick, and her famous Whoopie Pies and homemade bread.
On Sunday nights, one would meet her competitive side while playing scrabble or across from her during Chinese Checkers. She also loved jigsaw puzzles. This was taken to another level during her Havenwood years. They helped her keep going and meet new friends. She also stayed connected to family and friends with her iPhone and iPad via Facebook, Words With Friends and Instagram.
She knew and often said how blessed she was and how wonderful her life had been.
She will be missed by the lone survivor of her six siblings, her sister, Dorothy Mankowsky of Greenfield, MA; her six children, Wesley Jones and wife Kathleen of Loudon, NH, Barbara Stark and husband Kevin of Okatie, SC, Jeffrey Jones and wife Susan of Albany, TX, Beverly Robb and husband Robert of Phoenix, AZ, Gordon Jones and wife Marion of Chicheser, NH, William L. Jones Jr. and wife Aileen of Bow, NH; 16 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.
Funeral and burial services officiated by Rev. David Stasiak are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26 at the Pittsfield Congregational Church, followed by a family only internment. There will be no calling hours.
Waters Funeral Home, Concord, NH is handling arrangements. PD
