Shirley A. Jones

Shirley A. Jones, 93, of Central Square, New York passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, June 21, 2025.  

She was born on October 24, 1931, in Syracuse, New York, daughter of the late Eugene and Lauretta Snyder Bierre.  She and her husband, Joseph Jones, were married on February 27, 1949.  They were married for 59 years until Joe’s passing in 2008.  She was also predeceased by her sons, David and Robert, 2 daughters-in-law, Linda and Tina, and 2 great grandchildren, Joshuah and Xavier.

Shirley started her career as an in-home daycare provider for the Onondaga County Department of Social Services.  When she and Joe moved to Constantia, New York in 1977, she became a teaching assistant at A.A. Cole Elementary School and eventually transferred to the Central Square Middle School as a teaching assistant in the Special Education department.  She retired in 2002 following 25 years of service.

Shirley was very active in the community.  Over the years, she was treasurer for the Central Square Library, the homemaker’s group, the Brewerton United Methodist Church and the MIA senior citizen group.  She served as a board member of the Central Square Village Planning Board and the Central Square Village Zoning Board.  She was also an officer for the Central Square Support Personnel Association. 

Joe and Shirley began square dancing in their 30’s.  They met a great group of couples and they formed “The RoadRunners”.  They became lifelong friends and got together every chance they could for birthdays, holidays, picnics and vacations.

Shirley’s hobbies included macrame, knitting and crocheting, jigsaw puzzles and reading.  She belonged to a couple of BUNCO groups and was usually the one organizing them.  For many years she played piano until arthritis made it too difficult.  

During the summer, you could find Joe and Shirley at their camp on Lake Ontario, which they owned for 47 years and it was Shirley's "Happy Place." Memories abound for many family and friends, including swimming, bonfires, BBQ's, board games, card playing, music and dancing.  Shirley loved to ride the Sea-Doo and was first in line every time. The Jones family motto has always been "the more, the merrier".

Over the past year, it became more difficult for Shirley to get out so she really looked forward to Tuesday night dinners with her daughter, Maureen, her grandchildren, Samantha and Zachary and her bonus grandson, Mark.  She enjoyed playing cards, usually UNO, and she normally won to the kids’ astonishment.  They were always nights of good food, story telling, lots of laughter and many memories. They were her caregivers for the past 6 months and she expressed her appreciation all the time.

Shirley passed away having lived a full, happy life.  Her final wish was that her children and their spouses continue the love and support that she and Joe were given as parents and to love and respect each other.  She has prayed to be with Joe for many years and finally her prayers have been answered.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Stephen (Sheila) of Massachusetts and Kenneth (Holly) Jones of Texas and her daughters, Maureen (Robert) Jones Stetson of Brewerton and Vicki Jones of Oklahoma.  She is also survived by 10 grandchildren (Thomas, Dawn, Kristy, Derek, Marissa, Lori, Adrianna, Richard (RJ), Samantha and Zachary, 14 great grandchildren (Brittney, Cory, Justin, Ashlynn, Darrion, Alexis, Savannah, Austin, Zabion, Noah, Nicholas, Grace, Ava and Lana) and 8 Great Great Grandchildren (Braleigh, Joshua, Jr. (JJ), John, Jr. (Abram),  Callan, Carter, Jackson, Oaklynn and Daxon).

Calling hours will be at Traub Funeral Home, Inc., Central Square, New York  from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday, July 2, 2025,  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the funeral home, 684 North Main Street. Burial will be in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Syracuse, New York.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Brewerton United Methodist Church Food Pantry, 5395 Orangeport Road, Brewerton, New York 13029 or to the Central Square Library, 637 South Main Street, Central Square, New York 13036. 

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