Michele Jones Delmhorst

Michele Jones Delmhorst, 74, passed away after a valiant battle with Leukemia. She was born in Queens, NY to Edwin M Jones and Alberta Conway Jones. She lived in Manhattan, Elmsford and Scarsdale, NY prior to moving to the Belle Haven section of Greenwich, CT. She graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart, now Sacred Heart Greenwich. She received her undergraduate degree from Manhattanville College, an MBA from New York University, and a law degree from Fordham University School of Law.

Michele worked for First National City Bank (now Citibank) and Touche Ross (now Deloitte) in New York City before moving to Greenwich to join the law firm Bentley, Mosher, and Babson. While specializing in trusts, estates, and taxation, she was the managing partner of the firm. For a while she had a private practice in Fairfield, CT and then joined O'Brien Shafner in Groton, CT. She later worked for O'Brien, Stuart, Eppinger and Collier in Mystic.

She married John Delmhorst in 1991 and they lived in Fairfield prior to relocating to Stonington, CT. She was step mother to Robb (Stacey) and Jim Delmhorst and grandmother to Gillian and Griffin Delmhorst. She is survived by sisters Karen (Sal) Fronio, Tina (Brian) Will, and Marianne (Bill) McNee, several nieces and nephews and grandnieces and a grandnephew. She was predeceased by her mother and father, Alberta C and Edwin M. Jones and by her brother, Edwin M. Jones, Jr.

Music played a big part in Michele's life; she majored in Music in college. While living in Fairfield, she sang with the Fairfield County Chorale and the First Church, Congregational choir. After moving to Stonington, she sang in choirs at the United Church, the Road Church, and First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. She sang with the Chorus of Westerly and was a charter member of the Stonington Choral Society. She sang with the Mystic River Chorale and served as Treasurer of their Board of Directors. She was very active with Salt Marsh Opera Company and served as Vice President for two terms. One of her great joys was singing in several Salt Marsh Opera performances as a member of the chorus and working behind the scenes with props. For years, she assisted with the audition process for Salt Marsh. Her passion was playing her grandfather's 100 year old Steinway grand piano and she took piano lessons over many years.

She was a member of the Wadawanuck Club and the Stonington Country Club. A former president of the country club, she won several club championships. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Stonington Historical Society as their Secretary. After golf, she took up ballroom dancing and participated in several competitions. She spent many summers at the family's home in Quonochontaug, RI. She loved swimming in the ocean and racing sailboats on Quonnie Pond.

Michele got the travel bug while helping her cousin operate a travel agency in Vail, CO in the mid-1970s. This led to numerous national and international trips. She and John went on 13 European riverboat cruises along with side trips to France, Scotland, Australia, Bermuda, and the Bahamas.

Her family would like to thank the many neighbors, friends and caregivers who supported Michele through her journey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Salt Marsh Opera (P.O. BOX 227, Stonington, CT 06378) or the Mystic Seaport (75 Greenmanville Avenue, Mystic, CT 06355).