Betty Marie Jones

Betty Marie Jones, 92, of Freeport, IL passed away Wednesday March 6th, 2024 at FHN Hospital. Betty was born in Wacker, Il. to Charles and Flossie (Bowden) Rowland on April 29, 1931. One of 14 children, Betty ventured to Freeport as a young girl and met the love of her life. Betty married Donald Jones on November 24, 1951. They were married for 57 years. Betty started her career as a telephone operator at Northwestern Telephone Company and later was promoted to supervisor. She then became a stay at home mother. When the Lincoln Mall opened, she began working at J.C. Penneys retiring after 25 years in 1991.

Betty was a devoted worshiper at Bethany United Church of Christ in Freeport. She was a member of the Fidelia Circle and was the chairperson of the Condolence Committee for 30 years. Betty loved to golf at Park Hills, bowl at the 4 Seasons and square dance throughout Northwest Illinois. Betty assisted with the International Thanksgiving Program and hosted numerous international students and State Department officials. She participated in the Scottish Rites Women’s Association. Betty volunteered with the FHN Mini Medic Tours and delivery of Meals on Wheels.

Don and Betty traveled the world touching several continents. She enjoyed entertaining friends, acquaintances, and especially her family. Betty was an extraordinary cook and baker. She was renowned for her famous chocolate chip cookies. She became “Grandma Cookie” to her grandchildren. It was always a special treat if you were a recipient of her baked goods.

Betty is survived by her two children Cynthia (Richard Bielski) of West Dundee, IL and Craig (Lee Ann) Jones of Estero, FL; five grandchildren, Matthew Bielski, Christopher Bielski, and Allison (Jared) Bielski-Pappas, Kaitlyn (Jonathan) McCauley, and Natalie (Jacob) Amundson.

Betty was blessed with six great-grandsons Mason Bedow Bielski, Landon Bielski- Freeman, Noah McCauley, Samuel Amundson, Cameron Bielski-Pappas, and Ryan Amundson.

She is preceded in death by her husband Donald, parents, seven brothers, Thomas, Orlin, Merle, Earl, David, Charles, and Robert, and five sisters, Evelyn, Florence, Pearl, Hazel, and Ruth. She is survived by sister Ardith Demontigny.

The family would like extend their gratitude to Sandy Koehn for her wonderful assistance.

Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Wednesday March 13, 2024 at Bethany United Church of Christ, Freeport. A visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Freeport Area Church Cooperative, Salvation Army, or collected by Cindy Bielski for the purchase of a memorial bench in memory of Betty’s legacy.