Helen E. Jones

Helen E. Jones, 93, of Portsmouth, died peacefully at St. Clare's Home on November 12, 2016, surrounded by her dear friends and family.Helen was born in Newport, RI in 1923 to Swedish Immigrant parents, Judith (Larson) Nelson and Eric G. Nelson. Helen graduated from Rogers High School and the Newport Hospital School of Nursing. Helen was a strong and independent young woman, enlisting at age 20, against the objections of her father, in the Army Corps of Nurses where she was stationed in the Philippines during WWII. After serving her country, she earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Boston University. Helens passion for caring for others lead her back to her Alma Mater, the Newport Hospital School of Nursing, where she would eventually become its Director. Helen continued her dedication and commitment to furthering excellence in nursing care and healthcare education over 4 decades with the Newport Hospital School of Nursing until its closing in 1990. Helen then worked with CCRI to promote an Associate Degree in Nursing Education in Newport Hospitals McLaurin Building until their new campus could be built in Newport. In 2010, Helen was honored by the Nursing Foundation of RI when a nursing scholarship was established in her name. The Newport Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association also recognized and honored Helen for her many years of nursing education and clinical excellence. Helen was loved, adored and respected by her students and colleagues. Many became lifelong friends and eventually her caregivers at St. Clare Home where she was provided exceptional care and was surrounded by love and warmth. In 1960 Helen married Lt. Commander Skip John M. Jones. Together they created a life of community service. They co-founded, along with others, the nonprofit Friends of Ball Room Dancing. FOBD hosted decades of ball room dances to the tune of the Big Band Era, Jazz and Swing genre. Together, Helen and Skip, both of strong Christian faith, planted and harvested beautiful gardens providing its bounty to those in need through their dedication to the St. Marys Episcopal Church soup kitchen. Helen and Skip were both members of the St. Marys Vestry. They were also instrumental in saving the Glen Manor House in Portsmouth. In retirement, Helen and Skip enjoyed traveling and volunteer work. Helen was a former member of the Portsmouth School Committee and was a member of numerous boards and committees for various organizations providing health care and education.Helen loved to entertain and hosted wonderful family celebrations with a beautifully set table where she prided herself on serving healthy meals. After dinner family members would be called upon to sing or recite poems and there was no backing out of this tradition." Family treasures these memorable times. We will always remember Helen for her generosity, kindness, and sage advice. We honor her for caring of aged loved ones. We thank her for instilling us with proper English and good posture. Thank you to all at St. Clare Home for their phenomenal care. Thank you Cherryne for caring for Helen as family.Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Eric and Judith (Larson) Nelson, her husband of 48 years, Skip Jones, her siblings, Thorsten "Whitey" Nelson, Elsa Nelson, and Paul E. Nelson. She is survived by her brother Eric N. Nelson and his wife Sue of Ocean Isle Beach North Carolina, and their children, Marcia, Linda, Robert and the late Douglas Nelson. She is survived by her nephew Paul E. Nelson II and his wife Tammy of Portsmouth and their children Sawyer C Nelson and Carrigan Nelson. She is also survived by her sister in law Constance M. Nelson of Portsmouth, her niece Martha Nelson and her partner Brion of Vermont and Martha's son Ira, her niece Karen Simpson and her husband Jim of Maine and their children Maria of Maine and Eric and his wife Christine of Alaska and their son Thorsten. She is survived by many great nieces and nephews.Donations can be made n lieu of flowers to St Clare Home,309 Spring Street, Newport, RI 02840, The Newport Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association, Newport, RI, 02840, and to St. Mary's Episcopal Church, East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 10, 2017 at 10am in St. Marys Episcopal Church, 324 East Main Road in Portsmouth, RI. Burial will follow in the Churchyard. Cemetery Details St. Mary's Episcopal Churchyard 324 East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, 02871 Service JUN 10. 10:00 AM St. Marys Episcopal Church East Main Road Portsmouth, RI, US, 02871