Search by Name

Search by Name

Helen Marie Jones

1944 - 2021

Helen Marie Jones obituary, 1944-2021, Bakersfield, CA

BORN

1944

DIED

2021

Helen Jones Obituary

HELEN MARIE DIEDRICH JONES
December 16, 1944 - April 27, 2021

Helen was born to parents who came of age during the Great Depression, causing them to move their lives from Minnesota to California to find work.  They landed in Vallejo, CA where her father worked as a shipfitter at Mare Island, repairing ships damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor.  Helen came along after they had settled in Vallejo, the first of three children.

She attended Catholic schools for her primary education including St. Basil's Elementary and St. Vincent's High School.  She later attended Vallejo Junior College and received a Bachelor of Science from the University of California at Davis in 1967.

During her time at Vallejo JC Helen met the man she would marry during her PE class, square dancing.  After graduation, followed quickly by marriage, Helen and her new husband Warren both took teaching jobs with the Kern High School District.  Helen started at South High School in August of 1967 where she taught home economics.

In 1973, with the arrival of her first child, Helen retired from teaching and began a new career,  raising and nurturing her family.  Helen spent the next 30 years dedicated to all 5 of her children and husband.  Helen, also an avid seamstress, gave selflessly of her time and talent, volunteering at one time or another in all of her children's classrooms as "room mom", shuttling to and from activities and making outfits and costumes constantly.

To nourish her soul, Helen was deeply involved in church activities and was a central force in the St. Philips Thursday Women's Bible Study until she could no longer attend in 2018.  In one of her first bible study groups, she found a core group of friends who spent the next 40 years meeting nearly monthly, calling their fellowship Prayer and Praise.

Her faith sustained her throughout her life, including through the loss of her beloved parents and faithful husband of 53 years.  She was devoted to her family and gave graciously of her time and ability.  She was a vivacious and gregarious person who, throughout her lifetime, established friendships that last to this day.

Helen's chosen charities are St. Jude's and Assistance League, where she volunteered, especially enjoying the holiday homes tour.

Helen is preceded by her parents Robert and Norma Diedrich, and her husband Warren Stanley Jones.  She is survived by her daughter and grandson Rebecca and Braxton Vance, her son and daughter in law Michael and Marina Jones, her daughter and granddaughter Ruth and Camille Lusich, her daughter and son in law Rachel and David DePaola, her son daughter in law and granddaughter Sam, Misty and Emma Jones, her brother and sister in law Al and Melanie Diedrich and her brother and sister in law Jim and Mary Diedrich.

A Memorial Mass will be held Tuesday, May 11th, 2021, at St. Francis of Assisi starting at 2:00 p.m. There will also be a reception at Great Castle Chinese Restaurant immediately following the service.

Published by Bakersfield Californian on May 6, 2021.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Jones

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Hi Mom, missed you today. The roses are blooming here, everytime they do I imagine it's you saying hi. Love you.

Ruth Lusich

Family

September 23, 2021

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Helen Jones's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Helen Jones

May

11

Memorial Mass

2:00 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi

CA

How to support Helen's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Helen Jones's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more