Elaine L. Jones' Obituary
Elaine L. Jones, age 74, of Waupaca, WI, formerly of Camas, WA and West Linn, OR passed away unexpectedly, although peacefully on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at Waupaca Elder Care Home. She was born Lois Elaine Ponting on July 30, 1949 in Salinas, CA; daughter of Claude Davis and LeVada (VanAusdall) Ponting. After graduating from Alisal High School in 1967, she attended college at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, earning her teaching degree in 1971. Elaine began her teaching career at North Oak Grove Elementary School in 1971 and later moved to Mulino Elementary School. She furthered her education when she returned to Lewis and Clark to get her Masters of Arts in Teaching. Elaine became the Vice-principal of Athey Creek Middle School in West Linn, OR, and later became the Principal of Creston Elementary School in Portland, OR. After retiring from the Portland Public Schools, she went on to Washington State University in Vancouver, WA to be a Professor of Elementary Education and Student Teacher Advisor, retiring again in 2013. Elaine touched the lives of many, many staff, students and families over the years, many of whom she kept friendships with to this day.
Elaine met her former husband, John Alan Jones, in their hometown of Salinas in the early 1960’s. You could say John was smitten for his former high school sweetheart and found his way back to her in Portland while she was attending school. In 1970, they were married in Salinas, CA and together they raised their two children, Jennifer and Joshua. They later divorced but remained friends through the years.
Elaine loved to travel and entertain friends and family. Everyone was welcome in her home and everyone left as a friend. She very rarely had an unkind word to say of anyone or anything. Spending time at the beach (especially Cannon Beach, OR) with family as well as her girlfriends’ “beach trips” were memories she cherished. Elaine was an avid reader, a wonderful cook, loved to tend to her home and flower gardens, and had a great talent for quilting, having made many gorgeous quilts for her friends and family. She loved to cheer for her favorite sports teams, whether football, basketball, baseball, or soccer.
She was the most loving, selfless, and generous mother, grandmother, friend, sister, aunt, teacher, and mentor that anyone could ask for. Our mother was a bright light to everyone who met her, even in her final years. Elaine will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved her.
Elaine is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Ashley Jones of Kaukauna, WI; grandchildren, Haley E. Abbs and Charlie J. Abbs, and son, Joshua Aaron (Elysia Steele-) Jones of Portland, OR; grandchild, Rowan J. Jones; sister Rosa Lee (Henk) Wapstra of Bothell, WA; and also by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother LeVada Ponting; her father and step-mother C. Davis (Peggy) Ponting; brother Claude Ponting; sister Donna Pueschel; and former husband and friend John Jones.
Per Elaine’s wishes, she will be cremated and a celebration of her life will take place at a later date. The family would like to thank Waupaca Elder Care Home and their staff for the love and care our mother received the past few years. The Holly Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.
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