Barbara Jean Jones

Around 6:00 PM on January 28, Barbara Jean (Cormier) Jones pulled her first and only made-from-scratch carrot cake from the oven. After sampling that cake and spending a quiet evening with her beloved husband, Bill Jones, she passed away unexpectedly late that night. She had spent her final day doing what she loved with the person she loved most.

Barbara was born on June 16, 1945 at Morrison Hospital in Whitefield, NH to Frank and Vera (Hill) Cormier. A native, lifelong resident of Whitefield, Barbara's childhood shaped the compassion, industriousness, and commitment to family that she demonstrated throughout her 75 years. After graduating from Whitefield High School in 1963, she worked for Manchester Knitted Fashions (1963-1972).

In late April 1970, Sgt. Guy Lalonde of the Whitefield Police Department introduced Barbara to Bill Jones. A few days later, Bill was taking some lobsters from a Knights of Columbus supper in Littleton up to Troop F when he saw Barbara's baby blue Mustang as he drove through Whitefield. He stopped and asked her to come along. Just over three months from this unplanned first date they became engaged and then married on October 17, 1970. From their whirlwind romance came a marriage that flourished and blessed everyone around them for over 50 years.

Bill and Barbara had two sons, Casey and Steven. Both boys knew that she was always available with a listening ear and words of encouragement. She also had the uncanny ability to know just when they needed a dose of reality. Those gifts-whether appreciated at the time or not-extended beyond Casey and Steven, though. Barbara was like a second mother to the many neighborhood children that she cared for over the years. That same pragmatic, loving acceptance was always extended to her many friends and neighbors.
Her warmth and love knew no bounds. When Steven and later Casey brought home the women they would marry, Barbara welcomed them with open arms. Kristen (Steven's wife) and Jen (Casey's wife) were loved unconditionally, accepted for who they were, and supported no matter what. That was how she had always been towards her sons and that love extended to them. They weren't simply daughters-in-law; they were daughters of her heart.

Barbara joyfully welcomed four grandchildren over the years. When Casey brought his girlfriend Jen and her son, Connor Long, to a family Christmas party shortly after they started dating, she made sure that everyone knew Connor was coming. He had as many presents under the tree as the other kids. Connor was soon joined by Kailyn, Lauryn, and Mischa. One of Barbara's great joys was helping take care of her granddaughters in their early years, teaching them to bake and sew. During summer evenings, she could often be found cheering them on at their softball games. She was Mischa's favorite person. Living with autism, he thinks everyone should call him "honey," just like his Grammie. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life. She was at every event and would drop everything for them at a moment's notice. She was thrilled to welcome a great grandson, Benjamin Long, in 2018.

In addition to caring for her family, Barbara was affectionately known as the "flag lady," helping Bill run the North Country Flag Company for over 25 years. She also served as the Supervisor of the Checklist for the Town of Whitefield for 18 years. For the last decade of her life, Barbara spread her warmth and love to those near and far, working as Mrs. Claus at Santa's Village. She loved to knit, sew, and bake, teaching her family many of these crafts. Her family and her many neighbors will always remember her unduplicatable chocolate chip cookies and her world-famous peanut butter fudge.

Barbara will long be remembered by those who knew her as a woman with a warmth, kindness, and hospitality that outshone that of any southern belle. Her belief in God was quiet, a faith found in her actions rather than her words. She has taught each of us what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our everyday lives, loving others and expecting little in return. Her life was a model for all who hope one day to hear "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Barbara is survived by her husband, Bill, and their two sons and their families: Casey, Jennifer, and Mischa Jones of Kamas, UT, and Connor and Benjamin Long of Orlando, FL; and Steven, Kristen, Kailyn, and Lauryn Jones of Lunenburg, VT. Barbara is also survived by her five siblings and their families: Eugene and Gail Cormier; Edgar and Sharon Cormier; Paul and June Cormier; her twin, Eva Parker; and Sharron Ruggles; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be Saturday, February 6th at Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster, NH from 2-4 PM; a graveside service is anticipated in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Barbara Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund, ? Bill Jones, 23 Spring Street, Whitefield, NH 03598.