Obituary for Arden Ruth Jones
Arden Ruth Jones of Egg Harbor Township, NJ, died peacefully at the age of eighty-nine, surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, October 3r 2023.
Born in Florence, NJ on August 30th, 1934, as the only child to Jack and Vida Speed, she graduated Florence High School in 1952 and was married at the age of eighteen. She and her former husband, Donald Jones had four children whom they raised in their hometown. Arden was very active in her community, becoming the organist for her local church when she was only sixteen. She loved music. Rarely did a day go by when music was not playing in her home. She taught piano lessons for many years, played the pipe organ at church and was also the choir director. She started and directed a kids' choir and a community choir that performed locally for many years, all while raising four children.
In a later chapter, Arden and family moved to their vacation home on Long Beach Island. Here, she embraced her love for the ocean, and continued spreading the joy she found in music to others. She regularly sang and performed with various bands in the area, in jazz clubs such as Nardis and Carroll’s in Manahawkin. No matter where she went, bands were happy to have her join them, as a way to share her beautiful voice with the world. Later she would sing in a number of jazz venues in Key West and recorded a CD there.
Arden was an entrepreneur. We all recall the excitement of her opening her first business, The Yellow Balloon, a women’s clothing store. She started an arts and crafts store on Long Beach Island and a property management company on Sanibel Island. It was her indomitable spirit that drove her forward and kept her working on new ideas. As recently as this past September, she was calling her son to talk about business ideas she had.
Her creativity was evident in everything she did. Whether she was writing, performing, making music or designing, she crafted her art from a source within her that seemed endless. Nowhere was it more evident than in her later years when her creative problem solving helped her to continue to live in her own home.
Arden spent over fifteen years living in her final home in Egg Harbor Township, a place she loved and cherished. Her independence was something she prioritized and fought for, and with the help of her family, friends, and wonderful support team, she was able to maintain that to the very end.
Arden was largely inspired by her love of nature and the outdoors, often seeking out her favorite overlook or place by the water to talk to and connect with her loved ones. Arden delighted in having a big family. (see below) She deeply cherished her four children and seven grandchildren after growing up as an only child.
Arden had a special way of touching hearts and finding love wherever she went. She loved to laugh and she loved life. You can see it here in the photo that was taken on her 89th birthday, only 4 weeks prior to her death.
Arden’s children would like to express their love and gratitude to their father, Donald Jones and step-mother, Gloria Hluszok Jones, who have lovingly and generously provided the place and opportunity for all of us to gather, on many occasions, as one family.
Her family would also like to express their gratitude to the friends and neighbors who brought her joy throughout her final years. She loved having visitors and warmly welcomed those who came to spend time with her.
Arden’s Big Family
Dona Grace Cutting (daughter) and Jim Cutting (husband), son Adrian Jones and Carrie Earls (partner) and Morgan Earls (daughter), Shelley Jones and son Richard Ples and Toni Maltese (fiancé) and son Nicholas Ples and Stacy Ples (wife), Scott Jones (son) and Dot Burleson Jones (wife), son Eric Burleson and Nicolette Tereshko (partner) and son, Ryan Jones. Gary Jones (son) and Martha Jones (wife), daughter Hannah Jones and son Aidan Jones.
A celebration of her life will take place on November 10th at the Adams-Perfect Funeral Home 1650 New Road Northfield, NJ 08225. A visiting hour begins at 7 PM with a memorial service following at 8PM. All are welcome.
Born in Florence, NJ on August 30th, 1934, as the only child to Jack and Vida Speed, she graduated Florence High School in 1952 and was married at the age of eighteen. She and her former husband, Donald Jones had four children whom they raised in their hometown. Arden was very active in her community, becoming the organist for her local church when she was only sixteen. She loved music. Rarely did a day go by when music was not playing in her home. She taught piano lessons for many years, played the pipe organ at church and was also the choir director. She started and directed a kids' choir and a community choir that performed locally for many years, all while raising four children.
In a later chapter, Arden and family moved to their vacation home on Long Beach Island. Here, she embraced her love for the ocean, and continued spreading the joy she found in music to others. She regularly sang and performed with various bands in the area, in jazz clubs such as Nardis and Carroll’s in Manahawkin. No matter where she went, bands were happy to have her join them, as a way to share her beautiful voice with the world. Later she would sing in a number of jazz venues in Key West and recorded a CD there.
Arden was an entrepreneur. We all recall the excitement of her opening her first business, The Yellow Balloon, a women’s clothing store. She started an arts and crafts store on Long Beach Island and a property management company on Sanibel Island. It was her indomitable spirit that drove her forward and kept her working on new ideas. As recently as this past September, she was calling her son to talk about business ideas she had.
Her creativity was evident in everything she did. Whether she was writing, performing, making music or designing, she crafted her art from a source within her that seemed endless. Nowhere was it more evident than in her later years when her creative problem solving helped her to continue to live in her own home.
Arden spent over fifteen years living in her final home in Egg Harbor Township, a place she loved and cherished. Her independence was something she prioritized and fought for, and with the help of her family, friends, and wonderful support team, she was able to maintain that to the very end.
Arden was largely inspired by her love of nature and the outdoors, often seeking out her favorite overlook or place by the water to talk to and connect with her loved ones. Arden delighted in having a big family. (see below) She deeply cherished her four children and seven grandchildren after growing up as an only child.
Arden had a special way of touching hearts and finding love wherever she went. She loved to laugh and she loved life. You can see it here in the photo that was taken on her 89th birthday, only 4 weeks prior to her death.
Arden’s children would like to express their love and gratitude to their father, Donald Jones and step-mother, Gloria Hluszok Jones, who have lovingly and generously provided the place and opportunity for all of us to gather, on many occasions, as one family.
Her family would also like to express their gratitude to the friends and neighbors who brought her joy throughout her final years. She loved having visitors and warmly welcomed those who came to spend time with her.
Arden’s Big Family
Dona Grace Cutting (daughter) and Jim Cutting (husband), son Adrian Jones and Carrie Earls (partner) and Morgan Earls (daughter), Shelley Jones and son Richard Ples and Toni Maltese (fiancé) and son Nicholas Ples and Stacy Ples (wife), Scott Jones (son) and Dot Burleson Jones (wife), son Eric Burleson and Nicolette Tereshko (partner) and son, Ryan Jones. Gary Jones (son) and Martha Jones (wife), daughter Hannah Jones and son Aidan Jones.
A celebration of her life will take place on November 10th at the Adams-Perfect Funeral Home 1650 New Road Northfield, NJ 08225. A visiting hour begins at 7 PM with a memorial service following at 8PM. All are welcome.