Laura Louise Valentine Jones (1917 – 2020) passed away December 26, after a fall at home. She attended the first Kindergarten class at Miller School in Miller Beach, IN and continued her education there through her freshman year in high school and graduated from Emerson High School in Gary, IN. She met an older student, Sam Jones, during that time and decided she wanted to marry him when she turned 21. She didn't tell him this and decided in the meantime they would be friends. On her 16th birthday her parents gave her the vacant lot next door to their family home. Laura thought it was a lousy gift and would have preferred a new dress. However, Sam became an architect, designed and built their home on her birthday lot where they lived until Sam's death in 1966 and where Laura continued to live until 2 weeks prior to her death. She and Sam were married at Central Christian Church in Gary on November 12, 1938.

Laura worked for 40 years for the Railway Express Agency and after she retired she began doing volunteer work at her church – The Chapel of the Dunes where in 1977 at age 85 she painted a hallway ceiling and at age 87 she painted the doors and hand railings in the church. She retired as a volunteer at The Indiana Dunes National Park on her 100th birthday where she volunteered at the Chellberg Farm House and at the Bailly Homestead. Laura was an avid supporter of the Northwest Indiana Humane Society to which memorial gifts can be made in her name. She is survived by her friends and care givers Myrna Newgent, Laura Randall, Judy Ayers….and Laura's dear 19 year old cat, Abby. A private grave side service will take place after her cremation. Due to COVID, a celebration of her life will be announced at a time when those who knew her will feel comfortable gathering to celebrate her long and well lived life.

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Published by Post-Tribune on Jan. 3, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Laura Jones

6 Entries

Christine Mullholand

February 21, 2021

Laura was amazing. She had more energy than anyone I knew. She organized the reception at the Chapel of the Dunes after the memorial for my dad, Donald Shoub, in 2013. She was in her mid 90's then. We were in very good hands. She also had wrote the nicest letter and by far had the best penmanship of anyone I knew.

Dennis Kellenburger

February 1, 2021

True story: I introduced my Mom to Laura at an after-church luncheon one Sunday (I was in my 60’s, so do the math). Within minutes they were in stitches. Seems they were both infatuated with the same cute manager at Hotel Gary back in the 1940’s! Laura was sharp as a tack even into her triple digits. Rest in peace, Laura, I was blessed to have known you.

Debbie Kling-Nagel

January 12, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

ADA COLEMAN

January 4, 2021

Laura Valentine Jones was my first cousin. No one can live forever, and if she hadn't fallen, she might have. She died at age 103 years 5 months 26 days. Wow! My siblings attended her 100th birthday celebration in 2017. I was in California at the time. The first thing we did upon our return was drive to Miller to see Laura. I'm allergic to cats so she would always come out and sit in the car with us for a good visit. She was a Valentine like my mother. My father stayed with her parents in 1942 when he came to Gary from Illinois to look for work. That move changed our lives. My sister and I played many years in her parents beautiful sunroom complete with rattan furniture and ferns. Laura is/was one-in-a-million, never shy to speak her mind! We will miss her. RIP, Laura. From the 5 Goodwin Siblings: Herb, (Merrillville, IN), Klein (Hobart, IN), Sally Bucko (Fla), Linda Land (Monticello, IN), & Ada Jane Coleman (Hobart, IN). Photo shown below is Laura in 1996.

Kendra S Johnson

January 4, 2021

You lived a long life. You gave a great deal to the community. You were a walking history of the community you lived in. May your good always be remembered.

Jane Neal Thien

January 3, 2021

While no one can live forever, I was sure she might make it. See what a peanut butter sandwich and a dill pickle will due. I was told that was her lunch she carried to work everyday.
Laura was such a strong woman, always willing and wanting to help others. She will be missed by all lucky enough to have called her a friend. She and her mother, Pearl, grew the prettiest flowers! Rest in peace Laura.
It was my pleasure to have grown up as your neighbor and friend.

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