Obituary of Doris Marion Jones

Doris Jones (93) of Whitewater died March 26 at Fort Atkinson Hospital in the presence of her son Craig. She had recently returned from Florida where she had visited with family members at their gathering place on Sanibel Island. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Thayer and Louella (McClery) Thayer, husband Russell Jones, daughter Barbara and siblings Josh Thayer and Jean (Ray) Forrest. Doris is survived by her son Craig (Treen) of Fairfax Station, Virginia, granddaughters Jennifer (Kevin Nishiyama) of Round Hill, Virginia and Andrea Jones of Vienna, Virginia and grandson Jonathan Frankel (Sarah) of Elkhorn, great granddaughters Taylor Beth Nishiyama and Sienna Grace Nishiyama and great grandson Ashton Page Frankel and siblings Dick (Mary Jane) Thayer of Vista, California and Nancy (Dick Stones) of Palatine, Illinois. There are also numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Doris Marion Thayer was born December 14, 1921 at the family homestead west of Palmyra that her great-grandfather Joshua homesteaded in the 1840�s. Her father Charlie was well known in the area as a farmer and auctioneer. She graduated from College High School in Whitewater and attended Whitewater State Teachers� College for two years before graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She married Russell Jones of Palmyra July 1, 1944 in Cambridge, Massachusetts where Russell was preparing to become a naval officer. Over the next 30 years, they travelled to Japan and several stateside duty stations where Doris� natural grace and dignity in her role as a navy wife helped support her husband�s career. In 1975 Captain and Mrs. Jones returned to their roots and settled into a house on Whitewater Lake. Russell worked for several years at the University of Wisconsin Extension Division in Madison and both of them plunged into the life of their community. After Russell suffered a stroke in 2002 the couple moved to an apartment at Fairhaven in Whitewater. Russell died in 2005 and Doris continued to live in the same apartment. Doris was known for her sense of style. She always wanted to look good and she always did. A superb cook, she whipped up many savory meals for the family and more than one family member swore by her peach pie. As she aged she settled into the role of matriarch, giving of herself generously to family and friends. Although she was slowed in her later years by poor eyesight and an uncertain short term memory, her intelligence and spirit always shone through. She was still Doris. Her great grandchildren were a special joy. Doris was an active member of the Congregational Church of Whitewater and the Congregators� Circle, the Minneiska Club of the Whitewater Federation of Women�s Clubs, the Palmyra Historical Society to whom she and Russell gave much time and treasure. She was also a patron of the Irwin Young Auditorium arts program at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She was an accomplished gardener and dry flower arranger. She was an excellent bridge player and had many good friends, in and out of Fairhaven and was a charter member of the Double A wing 4:00 p.m. wine and conversation group. The family thanks the staff at Fairhaven and the Fort Atkinson Hospital for their professionalism and compassion in caring for Doris. Arrangements have been made by the Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater Thursday, April 2, Congregational Church, 133 S. Franklin St. Whitewater, viewing at 10 am, service at 11 am, luncheon at noon, burial at Hillside Cemetery, Palmyra at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to the Fairhaven Foundation, the Palmyra Historical Society, or the Congregational UCC Church of Whitewater.