Ms. Gina Jones

Gina had an amazing, deep, non judgemental and fiesty caring for those around her. We are grateful for the beautiful garden she created for us. Remembering her love of our boys and the many teas we enjoyed on our front porch. Rest in peace Gina.

Memories of dinners and stories, and life lessons for my children, for whom Gina was an adoptive aunt, fill my heart. And games of Scrabble (which she always won!) and many seasons of watching “Call the Midwife” over dinner, wonderful weekends in Stratford, seeing King Lear, As You Like It, and The Tempest, and trips to Tobermory all comprise joys of knowing Gina. Rest well in God’s great eternity of Love, dear friend.

Gina Jones and I were living in the Older Women’s Network (OWN) when I met her. I was running care for the rooftop garden; Gina knew the most about composting. We won the City of Toronto’s Co-ops prize for “Best Roof Garden” that year. Then Gina introduced me to her friend Betsie Downie. The three of us spent wonderful talkfests on every social subject and shared books, articles, and food recipes while we developed our ideas, spirits and hopes. Gina’s life was full - not easy. Welsh, Jewish and a Social Worker, she was always herself: strong, self-assured and resourceful. She was well loved.

I loved Gina! We met in the mid nineties when she attended some Grail meetings. Our paths crossed again at the Masses and dinners sponsored by the Little Brothers in their home. She often surprised me...by the beauty of the art in her home in Owen Sound, which seemed to contrast with her sometimes abrupt personality,...by her support for an eclectic number of churches, synagogues, charismatic conferences, books and podcasts. She was a strong believer in God's ability and love to heal and believed she had benefited several times in her life from his touch on her several difficult to diagnose ailments. She liked to let it be known that she played tennis at Wimbledon in her youth though she did not reveal much else about her formative years. She was resourceful with her periodic garage sales and generous and determined to contribute to the Spring and Fall Fairs at Our Lady of Lourdes Church which she attended in her last years. Two friends, Payal and Vera, and I met for monthly travelling dinners at our homes over several years. Even there her nursing and social work background came forth to regularly inquire about the health of Vera's husband, Nino. I found it difficult to watch her somewhat speedy decline into dementia, where the Ginaness of Gina gradually disappeared into the ether. May you rest in peace and joy and please pray for all of us whom you touched and blessed during your life on earth. Ada MacDonald

Dearest Gina: Her life was all about service to human kind. I knew dear Gina when she worked for York Support Services in York Region. When it came to older people with mental health her middle name was “people first & perseverance”. If you had Dear Gina in your corner you had someone who would fight for you for ever. So happy she had the support of her dear friend Elaine. Gina will be so missed.

I walked by the poster of Allan Gardens in our co-op lounge this morning, remembering when Gina donated it, remembering her large presence. She was a lover of nature and a worker for social justice in the world. May her memory be a blessing

Thank you for such an amazing friendship with which we became like family. I’m so grateful for the support we gave each other. I miss our “Timmy runs “ and us being the first ones out for the co-op garage sale and so many other great adventures. You were a force to be reckoned with and I’m was privileged to see the gentler side you tried to keep hidden. I was so shocked that we were robbed of you little by little. It was very difficult to see the vibrant you disappearing. I missed you terribly when you had moved out of the co-op into a long term care facility . I still wait for the tap on my door by your cane to entice me to a spontaneous trip out. I still look for you when I go into the community because for a while I was your “ safety net” . You inspired me with your courage, determination, knowledge , social consciousness and love of people. I am content to know you are at peace . Your valiant daily struggles are over with and I have been blessed with all the wonderful memories. Your now free to have the independency you craved , once again. Rest well my beloved friend.

Gina taught me so much about the secrets of plants, the earth, and the trees. She was a whisperer to the beautiful roses and food we grew in our urban garden. I am carrying those teachings with me and when I put my hands in the dirt, I will remember her. Rest in Power beautiful soul.

Gina was a good friend with a big heart and a sense of humour. We shared our love of nature and gardening and could spend time together in quiet reflection. Gina has enriched my life with her presence.

To the words, beautiful, wise and feisty, which describe Gina beautifully, I would add faith-filled. Gina was a woman of deep spirituality. She loved her Jewish roots and contributed greatly to our eucharistic celebrations.

Gina was part of our special group for six years and it will not be the same without her. She challenged and taught us continually. Her Welsh background gave her a deep love for choral music and there wasn't a Welsh choir visiting Toronto which she and I didn't attend as well as the special choral events at the Welsh United Church. What a special and unique person Gina was. Definitely will not be forgotten.

Gina was a source of joy to my mother, Penelope Tyndale. Her independent quirky ways, their love of the statue dog park, green things, tennis. I still remember mom and Gina at our place (we had just installed a tv) with them both shouting for Federer. Gina will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss of one of the gang.

Dearest Gina was like an Aunt to me, all through my life. A unique and wild spirit, with a poetic soul and the gift of mysticism, she is forever missed. Blessings on your feisty journey, Gina.