Irma A. Jones

High in the mountains of Jaco, Costa Rica Remington carved "Irma Strong" in a tree. Since then we have both had the phrase tattooed on our arm, in her handwriting no less. In time I went back and added her picture, etc.,looking out to the view she will always be able to see. Rem and I both agree that her ashes may be in Arlington but her spirit is free and here in Jaco by the beach she loved so much. Recently another friend posted a note explaining the picture, asking others not to remove and laid flowers in her memory. Now all is complete and as it should be. A very powerful and thankful moment indeed. I should add Pete, Amy and Monkey typically have always traveled with us and this time was no exception. Fact is all three have US passports hosting CR immigration stamps, Do see added photos if you have a moment. **Please see new Endowment Announcement under Share a Memory! A lasting thought shared at the end of Irma's services; Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! For now, I rest in the peace of the purest of lights, Pura Vida Since she was born in Costa Rica on the Fourth of July, 1970, Irma Anayancy Jones Zumbado did not experience most of the standard "adjustments" required of people born on that day. Her extended family soon brought her to the United States, however, where she was able to celebrate her own birthday along with others on our National Holiday. Driven perhaps by being a new person in the classroom from another country and by demonstrating a tenacious will to succeed, Irma worked hard at Washington & Lee High School both academically and in sports. She excelled in swimming and track, sustained a place on the Dean's List, and was accepted at several schools after her graduation in 1988. Irma's parents vividly remember her crying in frustration when, armed with English as a second language she faced great difficulty with her homework. After Washington & Lee, Irma went on to Duquesne University on scholarship, where she again excelled in swimming and track while once again earning her way onto the Dean's List. Irma finished her degree in "Criminal Justice," earned a diploma as a paralegal, and then spent a long and very rich career as a Paralegal for "Legal Services of Northern Virginia." Qualified to represent her clients before Administrative Law Judges she fiercely defended her clients and worked tirelessly on their behalf until the very end. On weekends, even holidays, on all daily shifts she also worked for almost 18 years for the television program "America's Most Wanted". There she found herself busy following up on leads, acting on information and taking great pride in directly contributing to over 20 captures. She was always proud of her efforts to defend her clients and her sometimes exhausting work at AMW earned her numerous accolades and recognition in both jobs. In 1991, after having traveled and worked in many places around the country, Mr. Richard Morris found himself in Arlington where he met Irma totally by chance. While employed at "Fun Times" in Ballston a misunderstanding occurred and her boss insisted she look up his phone number and apologize for what was mistakenly perceived as a slight. After calling several Richard Morris' Irma contacted the right one and when it was made clear no offense was taken they agreed to meet up for a cup of coffee. It was on that first date, as they crossed King St in Alexandria that they instinctively reached out for each other's hand and they just never let go. They were married in January 1999. Despite their packed work schedules they both were able to make yearly trips to Costa Rica where, she enjoyed one of her many loves, going to the beach, and sustained her connections with friends and relatives over the years. Whether it was to Paris or Moscow, Trinidad or Tobago, Mexico, Denver, Boston, Atlanta, NYC, California, Melbourne FL, Las Vegas or Hudson OH it was always the fun of the journey and its rich rewards that she looked forward to the most. All Irma's family and friends will confirm that she was a woman determined, at all times, to get her way in order to achieve her vision of efficiency, discipline, organization and hard work in everything she did. She brought this perspective to the meetings with her doctors during her long struggle against breast cancer. Her doctors and nurses regularly marveled at her courage, capacity for organization, and attention to detail, under the most difficult circumstances. When new people entered her struggle and questioned Irma's ability to handle aspects of her care her doctor would say, "You don't know this patient!" Until the very last moment even when others thought she was in the greatest pain she was still fighting back with every ounce of her being. When asked if she should cancel a planned trip two weeks hence she replied "no way, I might get better". She battled cancer and encountered numerous surgeries, chemotherapies and medical protocols for over 10 years but now she is at peace and no doubt busy organizing a welcome home party for herself and friends upstairs. The good Lord truely has his hands full. Irma is survived by her loving friend and husband of over 22 years, Richard Morris; step-son, Remington Morris; siblings, Felix, Sherril, Ana Patricia, and Leonardo; birth father, Felix Ernesto Jones; God parents, David and Ana Evans; a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended family in Virginia, New York, Ohio, Florida, and Costa Rica.