Donna Jones

Donna Taylor Jones, 86, of Dorset, Vt. and Bradenton, Fla. died peacefully on Thursday, February 23, 2017. She was the beloved wife of Edward F. Jones, who passed away in 1987. Donna was born in 1930 to Algernon and Violet Taylor nee Wray, homesteaders in Rapid City, S.D. In 1939, the Taylor family moved East to Bellows Falls, Vt. to escape the Dust Bowl and begin a new life. After high school, Donna followed her sister Malisse's lead into the medical field attending Burbank School of Nursing in Fitchberg, Massachusetts. Donna cherished many lifelong friendships from those years. In 1950, Donna met and married Edward F. Jones in Brattleboro, Vt. They had two children Steven E. Jones and Malisse J. Warner. Donna stayed home to raise her children and later became an administrative assistant in the Brattleboro Union High School. In 1976, Donna and Ed moved to Dorset to help their son, Steve, create Mettowee Mill Nursery. Flowers and gardening were a passion for Donna. She was a knowledgeable, talented gardener who enjoyed sharing this love with Mettowee's staff and customers in those early years. She was a capable and spirited woman who enjoyed sewing, the beautiful mountains of Vermont, trips to Maine and Nubble Lighthouse and watching her beloved Red Sox and Patriots. She was sure that had Tom Brady met her first, he never would have married Giselle. More than anything else, Donna was a pied piper of people. People gravitated to her sharp wit, sunny personality and her interest in all whom she met. She left an impact on everyone with her grace, kindness and compassion. After retiring in 1995, Donna and her companion, Robert Webbe, spent many years wintering in Florida and traveling. They had a loving and supportive relationship until Bob's death in 2012. Family was the top priority in Donna's life. Throughout life she kept close relationships with her brothers and sister, nieces, nephews and great nephews who would travel from around the country to spend time with her. She felt very fortunate to have them in her life. Donna is predeceased by her brother Jack Taylor of Grafton, Vt. She leaves her sister Malisse Mahlum of Wolf Point, Mont. and brother, David Taylor of Sundance, Wyo. and Jack's wife Marie Taylor in Newington, Conn. A devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Donna leaves her children Steven Jones and wife Leslie (Lee) of Dorset and Malisse J. Warner and husband Daryl of Tucson, Az. Her pride and joy were her five grandchildren with whom she spent countless hours watching John Wayne movies, making cinnamon rolls, having sleepovers and celebrating happy hour. Her legacy will live on in them: Lauren Jones Sandberg and husband JC of Alexandria, Va.; Kristin Jones Buchanan and husband Andrew of Oak Park, Calif., Matthew Jones of Sherman Oaks, Calif.; Andrew Warner and his fiancé Melissa of Lake Tahoe, Nev.; and Lesley Warner Pellman and her husband Blake of Seattle, Wash. Donna was blessed with six great grandchildren. The family would like to thank Dr. Charlene Ives and the Oncology Department of Bennington Hospital and Dr. Whorf and the Oncology Staff at the Florida Cancer Specialists Clinic in Bradenton, Fl. for their love and care as well as the many friends in Bradenton and Dorset who spent their time driving and sharing laughs and stories and to Cathy Walker for her special care. Services will be held at the United Church of Dorset on Saturday March 25, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Oncology Department at Bennington Hospital. c/o Brewster Funeral Service, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Vt. 05255 Services will be held at the United Church of Dorset on Saturday March 25, at 10 a.m.