Ann Jones OBITUARY

Ann Louise Jones (Clark) born in Santa Fe, NM on May 10th 1939 died in Rohnert Park, CA on January 11, 2024. Ann was known affectionately as Sue or Susie to her family. Mom spent her childhood between Santa Fe NM and San Diego, CA and she fondly recounted summers spent with her grandparents in New Mexico where her grandmother taught her how to fish and to love all that nature had to offer. Santa Fe, Taos, Raton and Cimaron were always near and dear to her heart. Her childhood in San Diego, while difficult, led her to an all-girls boarding school run by Mrs. Duffy, a woman who’s profound influence on Ann led to her love for learning and contributed to her progressive, forward-thinking nature. In 1959 Ann married her first husband, Bard DuPont, moved to San Francisco and gave birth to their son, Gawain. Soon after that, the young family moved to New York City and separated, she then met Peter Jones, who became the love of her life and with whom she moved back to SF and later married, they had a daughter, Gwen. Ann graduated from San Francisco State with degrees in Child Psychology and Early English Literature. She worked for a short time with the Marin Family Service Agency. She and Peter then became heavily involved in canoeing and kayaking in Northern California which led to their partnership in Canoe Trips West and to many trips down the rivers of N. Cal and in and around the greater SF Bay. She and Peter, kids in tow, also enjoyed many backpacking trips in the Sierra’s, Trinity Alps and even the Grand Canyon. Then on a lark, Ann took a cake decorating class that transformed her life. She discovered that she had an immense talent and artistry for baking and became a pastry chef. She went on to work in some of the finest restaurants and bakeries in SF and Marin, eventually starting her own candy company, Ann & Co. which she successfully ran for many years. She also discovered Spirit Rock which led to meditation becoming a part of her daily practice for many years. Our parents also loved to dance and spent years as part of a folk-dance group where Peter’s favorite thing was to fling her across a room. Peter always said that Sue was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known, and he loved showing her off! Mom was an avid reader, a love she passed on to her children. Other things that brought her great joy were music (opera in particular), gardening and animals; from her horse Kongor, to her many dogs and cats. She and Peter were instrumental in starting the Woodacre Garden Club, a volunteer organization dedicated to brightening up small pieces of land in their west Marin hamlet of Woodacre, a legacy that lives on today. Being involved with the Garden Club led to Ann becoming a certified Master Gardener. Mom was happy in her small community, and treasured the friendships she built there. As she struggled with the loss of her beloved husband, she faced a new challenge: the ravages of Alzheimer’s. Although Ann spent the last few years in the care of others, her children were a supportive part of her life. She is is survived by her children, Gawain Jones and Gwen Jones, her brothers Phillip Dobranski and Bill Clark, sister Vicke Clark and several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her husband Peter Jones, brother Joseph Michael Clark, sister Sandy Clark and dear friend and cousin Sylvia Rosen. The family is forever grateful for the attentive, kind and gentle care provided to Ann by Monicah and her team at Mograce house: Alice, Pauline and Consolata, as well as the crew from Hospice By The Bay who all worked to make mom as comfortable as possible.