Thanks Tom...

Here's a hug from Mom. Very nice post...

An Unusual Dedication for Mom

Whitney Grey is a good friend of mine; I've known him for almost 15 years. He lives on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation in the east valley (he's a Pima). Since I've known him, he's been a very sick man. He has so many ailments, I couldn't possibly describe them to you. I always joke with him that he'll never die.

Whitney is also a well-known artist, at least to those with an interest in Native American art. His works are in water color, with abstract themes using various symbols and designs of his people. The images he paints always come to him, he says, in dreams or spontaneously. I've wondered aloud if he gets his visions the same way Edgar Allen Poe got his story ideas; he just laughs. His work is in demand these days. He has been commissioned by Marriott to complete a series of paintings for the new casino hotel. He just finished three that will fetch about $3500.00. He may even get to work on a very large wall mural in the casino.

I called him the weekend after Mom died to let him know. He did what he could, saying prayers to his God. Some weeks later, he presented me with a painting he had done for the Jones Family as a memorial to Mom. It's presented below. I especially love how he used green on the painting. The painting is approximately 12in X 15in. When Mary gets time, I'll have her frame it. I know some of you are looking at this and thinking, what's the big deal?

But hey, in this day and age when someone can pee in a jar and stick in a crucifix, or insert an American flag in a toilet and get reviews from it, I would consider this to be a genuine work from a real artist. I thanked him profusely for his work.

In Loving Memory of Clare Ann Jones

Clare Ann Jones passed away in Phoenix, AZ at the age of 78 on November 5, 2009 in the company of her family and loved ones. Clare Ann Myers was born in Schenectady, NY on April 28, 1931 to Arthur T. and Elizabeth A. Myers. She grew up in Carbondale, PA with her parents and six siblings. She graduated from St. Rose High School in 1948, and within three years, graduated from St Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing. After receiving her certificate as a Registered Nurse, Clare and sister Betty volunteered to go to Indianapolis at the height of the polio outbreak of 1952. She and Betty cared for polio patients that required treatment with iron lungs. After some persuasion by her brother, Clare and Betty joined the Air Force as nurses in 1953.

Clare met Robert Harold Jones in November 1953, while stationed at Donaldson Air Force Base in Greenville SC. Through the duration of their enlistment, Clare and Robert fell in love. On August 22, 1956, after resigning from the Air Force, Clare Ann and Robert were wed at St Rose of Lima Church in Carbondale, PA. The newlywed couple moved to Seattle, WA where Clare received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in June 1959 from Seattle University.

Between 1959 and 1964, Clare and Robert served as foster parents, caring for a number of infants and toddlers. The young couple adopted Richard and Susan in 1964 after caring for them as foster children for several years. Between 1963 and 1972, they were blessed with the births of seven children.

The Jones Family moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1974, where Clare and Robert have remained to this day. Clare was active in her church, St. Augustine’s, for many years in the Ministry of the Sick and also in the choir.

Clare was proud of her family and was most happy when they were all together. She touched people everywhere with her kind smile and gracious manner.

For over 25 years, Clare devoted her time in the research of her family history. To date, she has accumulated an extensive collection of genealogical and archival materials relating to her immediate and extended family. The result has been the compilation of three complete works on the Moran, Myers and Whittington Families.










She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings-Mary, Leo, Joseph, and Gerard, and two children-Susan and John. She is survived by her brother Arthur Myers, sisters Elizabeth Hernquist and Sister St. Gerard Myers (Catherine); as well as her husband Robert, sons Richard (Patrese), Joseph, Robert (Nikki), William (Vicki), Thomas (Cheryl), Michael (Julie), and daughter Mary (Mark). Her family has blessed her with 9 grandchildren, 6 great-grand children and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, November 11 at 10:00 AM at St, Augustine’s Church (3630 N 71st Avenue, Phx.). Clare Ann Jones will be laid to rest on Friday, November 13 at 10:00AM at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.