Honoring
Mary Catherine Jones

Mary Catherine Jones, 79, of Englewood, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026. She was born on June 27, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, to Charles and Ruth Adams as second of 5 children.

Mary graduated from high school in Detroit and went on to pursue higher education with great dedication. She earned her undergraduate degree from Wayne State University, her master’s degree from The Ohio State University, and later achieved her doctorate from Wayne State University.

In 1973, she married Walter M. “Wally” Jones. The couple lived in the Chicagoland area from 1973 until 1988. Mary initially worked in the insurance field and then went into hospital administration. In 1988 they moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Mary continued to work in hospital administration. In 1994, her passion for education eventually led her to Kentucky Community and Technical College, where she began teaching. Over the course of a distinguished 20-year career, she rose through the ranks and ultimately served as Vice President of the college.

Following her retirement, Mary and Wally relocated to Englewood, Florida, where they embraced an active and fulfilling life together. They enjoyed traveling and visited many countries around the world. The couple also shared a longtime passion for breeding and showing dachshunds, which brought them great joy and many lasting friendships.

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Walter M. “Wally” Jones; her sisters, Anne Bonanni (Louis) and Patricia Lembas (Paul); her brother, Robert Adams; and her sister-in-law, Sharon Adams, wife of her late brother David Adams. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss her dearly.