Jean Farren Jones

1932 - 2025

Jean Farren Jones
Jean (Eugenia Allison) Farren Jones was born on November 17, 1932, in New Haven CT, and passed away peacefully on March 7, 2025, in Mill Valley, CA, with her daughter by her side. She is survived by her daughter, Allison Jones Thomson (Euan) of Tiburon, CA, son, Stuart Lawrence Jones (Robin) of West Roxbury, MA, son-in-law, Larry Smith of Corte Madera, CA, her sisters, Suzanne Szanto (Bela) of West Orange, NJ, Carolyn Farren, and Georgianna Farren (John Loftus) both of Larkspur, California. Jean is also survived by seven grandchildren, Mariah, Imogen, Annabel, Brendon, Brett, Megan, and Kyle; and four great-grandchildren, Liam, Ivy, Emma, and James. She was predeceased by her husband, Stuart Loper Jones, daughter, Katharine (Katie) Jones Smith (Larry), her sisters, Lois Flesche (Walt), Constance Short (Tom), Robin Earle (Jim), and her parents, George X. Farren and Claire Kennedy Farren.
Jean was one of seven sisters and was proud of the strength and achievements of her all-female family. She grew up in the Great Depression, but would often talk fondly of her tough but family-oriented childhood. At school, she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, where she enjoyed their Rifle Club. While at school, she worked at a local florist, where she developed a love of flowers, a passion that stayed with her throughout her life. Jean graduated Hillhouse High School in 1950. She married Stuart Loper Jones in 1955, and the couple settled in Guilford, CT, where their children were born. After Stuart's death, Jean moved from CT to Marin County, CA, where she lived in close community with her sisters, Georgianna and Carolyn. She developed a love for CA and the freedom that it gave her. After staying in Marin for many years, she moved to Los Gatos, CA, to be closer to her daughter, Allison, but then returned to Marin when Allison and Euan moved to Tiburon.
Jean studied Accounting and Business at the Stone School of Accounting and the University of New Haven to help with her work as a bookkeeper and Business Manager. While supporting the family business, she also worked at other local businesses, including the Children's Psychiatry Emergency Service of New Haven and Guilford Veterinary Hospital. In addition, she earned her CT Real Estate license and worked as a realtor for many years, with her own agency in Guilford. Later in life, she owned and co-managed the "A Touch of Nature Florist" in Larkspur, CA, alongside Katie, until Katie's death in 2000.
Jean had many interests. In Guilford, she was a member of the Eagle Hose Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She had a lifelong interest in genealogy and was an active member of the Connecticut Society of Genealogy and spent many years researching and documenting her family ancestry. Her visit to Ireland with Allison, to see her country of origin, was one of her fondest memories. Jean took courses in Geology, English, Algebra and Music at the College of Marin, where she was proud to be placed on their honors list. Jean was an avid reader, and member of a local book club in Marin. She enjoyed classical music and in particular, Opera. Jean was a bold traveler. She drove across country four times, once by herself, once with her sister, Robin, once with Katie, and once with her cat, Diggy. She traveled to the UK, Switzerland and France with Allison, and, despite her mobility challenges, she visited Allison and Euan in Germany in 2023 and walked from Germany to Austria at the top of a mountain. She was proud to say that she had "hiked across the alps!".
Throughout Jean's life, her biggest interest was her family and friends. She was devoted to her sisters, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and to her many nephews and nieces. Time with family was special to her and she was always there to support them whenever needed. She also worked hard to maintain the many friendships that she formed in all the locations and phases of her life. During Jean's final days, many family members and friends were able to visit her and to say their goodbyes. Jean brought happiness to all who knew her. She will be sadly missed, but always remembered by her family and friends.
Considering Jean's passion for the community we would ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a community food bank of your choice.
A funeral service will be held on April 5, at 11am at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Belvedere, CA.