Irene R. (Hildemann) Jones

WORCESTER/PAXTON - Irene R. (Hildemann) Jones, 80, was called home peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord on Monday, April 15, 2013, at the Rose Monahan Home in Worcester. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Irene was the daughter of Andrew and Margaret (Coffey) Hildemann. After graduating from Bishop McDonnell High School in Brooklyn, Irene moved to Worcester and began her career at New England Telephone and Telegraph. This is where she met her former husband and father of her four children, Harry W. Jones, who passed away in 2010. Irene resided in Paxton for 30 years where she raised her family and began her community involvement by serving as chairman of the Paxton Council on Aging. She was a member of St. Columba Church and its Parish Council, Altar Care Society and the Women’s Guild.

While holding a fulltime job, Irene raised her children and continued her education graduating from Quinsigamond Community College with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She later became Director of the Lutheran Adult Day Health Center, where she worked for 20 years, and was a charter member of the Worcester Area Adult Day Health Centers.

Irene moved to Worcester in 1996 where she continued her volunteer efforts. She was a member of St. George Church, its Parish Pastoral Council and Alter Care Society, and served as a Eucharistic Minister and two terms as president of the Women’s Guild. Irene was also a charter member of the Daughters of Isabella Circle #1398. Community involvement continued to be a great source of enjoyment as she affirmed her commitment to seniors by volunteering at the Auburn, Worcester and Holden Senior Centers. She was also a member of the RSVP of Worcester, the Worcester Chapter #2599 of AARP, and the Auburn and Leicester chapters of “The Red Hatters”.

A talented stitcher, she was very proud of her membership in the Embroiderers Guild of America, Central Mass. Chapter, where he served as their president for several terms. Irene also liked gardening and traveling. She cherished time spent with the family, especially attending the “Jones Clan” reunions.

She is survived by her four children, Susan Jones Casey LePage and her husband Peter of Williamstown, Mark Jones and his partner Erica Bates of Woodstock, CT, Kevin Jones and his wife Deb of Douglas, and Kathleen Jones and her partner Glen Shenkin of Ludlow; seven grandchildren, Justin, Jillian and Jeremy Casey, Joshua and Nathan Jones, and Amy and Brian Rumanowski. She was predeceased by her sister Margaret “Peggy” Stange.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street (Rte. 122A), Holden, and again on Friday morning at 8:45 a.m. followed by a procession to St. George Church, 38 Brattle Street, Worcester for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Mooreland Cemetery, 251 Richards Avenue (Rte. 56), in Paxton. In lieu of flowers and honoring Irene’s wishes, the family suggests “a random act of kindness” in her memory.

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