Shirley R. Jones, age 93, formerly of Gouverneur, passed away on November 15, 2024 at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse.
Shirley R. Burgess Jones was born in Johnson City, NY on July 25, 1931. She was the daughter of Lowell R. Burgess and Ruth A. Barnum Burgess. Shirley graduated from Vestal High School in 1949, with a secretarial education. She was employed by General Aniline & Film Corp., Ansco Division, Binghamton, NY. Monarch Life Insurance Company in Springfield, MA Penn State University, Deputy Town Clerk in Gouverneur, NY; was a part time legal secretary for Attorney Robert Ayling in Gouverneur. And was a part time secretary for Gouverneur Central School.
Shirley married her high school sweetheart, Lacey Jones in August of 1953. They celebrated their 50th anniversary with their children and their families in 2003 in the Adirondacks. Shirley was an accomplished artist, photographer, quilter, crafter and her love of the Adirondacks and the five visits to Hawaii where her son Lee lived was her inspiration for most of her art work and photography.
Shirley volunteered for many organizations. She was active for 26 years with the Thousand Island Girl Scout Council from 1967-1992. She was a troop leader for three levels from 1969-1975. From 1972-1992, Shirley was director of neighborhood events, day camp staff, member of delegate assembly, adult enrichment coordinator for the council overseeing the annual spring and fall adult training events held in Gouverneur for nine years. Shirley was awarded the Girl Scout highest adult award, Thanks Badge in 1985 and in 1989, Thanks Badge II, the first in TIGS council to receive this honor. She was Den Mother for both sons for eight years. Co-chaired the annual Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquets. Costumer for eight Gouverneur High School musicals. E.J. Noble Hospital Auxiliary member and co-chaired holiday craft table for two years. Co-chaired crafts for 1st United Methodist Church bazaars from 1970-1990. Shirley was the first woman trustee of the Gouverneur Methodist Church, serving twelve years, also as secretary. She quilted with a group from the church and was a member of the Knitting club.
In 1993, Lacey and Shirley retired to the Adirondacks, Kiwassa Lake and Lake Placid. Shirley’s love of the Adirondacks began when her parents camped at Fish Creek when she was a young child. She and Lacey spent their honeymoon at Seventh Lake. They tent camped with their children and then spent 41 years at their cottages at Lake Clear and Kiwassa Lake. Our greatest joy was sharing our Adirondack homes with family and friends. Shirley was president of Paint and Palette Art Association for nine years and was their representative as a member of the revitalization of down town Saranac Lake. 2004 the Saranac Lake Library exhibited her photography and paintings of her two favorite places, the Adirondacks and Hawaii. Shirley was secretary for the Kiwassa Lake Association for nine years, trustee for Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage, volunteer for Historic Saranac Lake, member of Lake Placid Red Hat Society.
They returned to Gouverneur in 2005 and Shirley was a trustee for the United Methodist Church for two terms, member of the United Methodist Women, Trustee and historian for Gouverneur Public Library, member and historian for Shakespeare Club, Les Beaux Arts Club and past president, volunteer of the Arts Club and a volunteer at the Gouverneur Museum.
Shirley is survived by a daughter, Chris (David) Middlemore of Baldwinsville, NY; Granddaughter Lacey (William) Pickett, great granddaughters Teagan and identical twins Harper and Henley of Rural Retreat, VA; Grandson Charles (Violeta) Duggan and great grandson Nolan of Roanoke, VA; Granddaughter Jennifer (Michael) Wells and great granddaughter Aubrey and Emma of Baldwinsville, NY; Grandson David Middlemore Jr. (Sabrina) and great grandson, Colton of Baldwinsville, NY; Son, Leland Jones (Dena King) and granddaughter Murilla King of Taos, NM; Son, Scott Jones (George Pinney) of Pittsfield, MA; sister, Ila Jean Popple of Gainsville, FL; and several nieces and nephews and their families.
Shirley is predeceased by her parents, Lowell and Ruth Burgess; her beloved husband of 66 years, Lacey L. Jones; her sisters, Juanita and (Vincent) Homer and Elaine and (Anthony) Johnson; her brother-in-law, Paul Popple and sisters-in-law, Sandra and (Harold) Roth and Louellen Jones.
There will be no calling hours or funeral service at the request of Shirley. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home, Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ryan’s Wish Foundation, PO Box 326, Gouverneur NY 13642.