Obituary: Mary Jo (Clover) Jones

Mary Jo (Clover) Jones
March 27, 2024

Aug. 7, 1959 — March 24, 2024

Mary Jo (Clover) Jones, 64, passed away peacefully at home after a sudden decline in her health, on March 24, 2024.  She was born Aug. 7, 1959, in Ashland, Oregon.  She is survived by her husband, Steve; daughter Sarah Fjelman (Perry); parents Dave and Dorothy (Force) Clover; siblings, Deborah Cook, Janet Samuel (David), John Clover (Golda), Jean Hagen (Patrick), and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Ray Cook.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, April 1, at Mountain View Cemetery, Ashland, Oregon. Arrangements are with Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home, 541-482-2816.

Mary Jo attended Ashland schools, graduating from Ashland High School in 1977.  After high school she spent a summer in Alaska working at a fish cannery and another summer working at Crater Lake Lodge.  She moved to California for several years, returning to Ashland and the area she loved. For the past 17 years she was employed at WinCo Foods in Medford.

In 1990, Mary Jo married Steve Jones, a Medford native, in Reno, Nevada. 

Mary Jo had the kindest heart and an illuminating smile that lit up her whole face. She was a private and quiet person, yet very witty and fun at just the right moments.  Although independent, she loved being part of a large family, enjoying the many family gatherings, especially birthdays. In her spare time, Mary Jo liked to tend the hanging flower baskets and bird feeders on the deck. She was a cat whisperer.  Her devotion was unparalleled, as she showered her cats, Brownie, Blackie and Pug, with care and affection. The outside deck was a sanctuary and a neighborhood diner for stray cats, where Mary Jo provided warmth and comfort, embodying her compassionate spirit.

An exemplary human being, Mary Jo’s qualities of selflessness, strength of spirit and generosity in caring for her parents, husband, and others, are memories her family and friends will cherish.

Mary Jo suffered from a series of medical issues including chronic back pain and sleeping disorders. She faced these life challenges with courage and resilience, never complained and overcame this adversity to live a full life. She was a woman of strong religious faith and is now embarking on a pain free, eternal journey.

Our beloved Mary Jo will be deeply missed by her family and friends but she will live forever in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to FOTAS (Friends of the Animals, fotas.org).

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Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

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