Wanda L. Jones

Wanda died the early morning of 1/27/2016 at St Joseph's Hospital, Tacoma, Washington. A member of the great World War II generation, she was born 10/22/1927 in Clarinda, Iowa. The daughter of Lonnie and Tammar Thomas of Clarinda, she had two sisters, Coral and Roxa, whom she loved dearly.

The early years of Wanda's life were spent on a beautiful Iowa farm, where she worked hard and never complained, a hallmark of her character. She played guitar around the piano with her family and loved reading. She graduated from Clarinda High School in 1944. On June 1, 1946, Wanda Lea married returning USMC war veteran Rolland Edward Jones, in Troy, Kansas. They later had five children.

We are all so proud of our mother. She was such a hard working, elegant lady her whole life, from raising five kids to owning her own real estate office. After moving from Iowa to Washington with our Dad, Mom began work as a cosmetician at Hannah and Powell drug store. She became much loved by the managers and customers. Many of her cosmetic clients later convinced her to pursue a career in real estate, which she did and quickly excelled as a top sales agent at Crown Properties and Royal Oak Real Estate. She later became a real esate broker and opened her first office, Robin Realty, after purchasing the original Kitsap Bank building in downtown Port Orchard. After 14 successful years operating her own realty, she closed her office and became co-owner of By the Bay Realty, from which she retired in 1994 after more than 20 very successful years in real estate sales. She loved her friends and colleagues.

Wanda was a very accomplished cook, who loved to play cards, garden, and soak in the view of the Puget Sound and Mt Rainier from her Manchester home, which she cherished. She loved birds and enjoyed keeping feeders full year round. She loved her family, all of her extended family, and always made every holiday special. She was kind, gentle, generous, and fun. She traveled with our dad by motor home through 48 states and across the Canadian provinces and Mexico, as well as travel to Alaska and Hawaii. They also owned a Bayliner cabin cruiser and traveled the Puget Sound, the Straights, and the Canadian coast. Although not a swimmer, Mom loved boating with Dad. Traveling in the motor home, however, was a passion.
Wanda was a life long member of the United Methodist Church and raised her five children in the church, teaching Sunday school and leading for years the church youth group, MYF, with much enthusiasm and fun, creating many fond memories. After her husband Rolland Edward died in 2008, Wanda remained self reliant and strong, remaining in her beloved Manchester home, maintaining the house and lawns with great joy along with much loved dog Foxy and cat Dobie, until her own death. She is preceded in death by Rolland and by her eldest son Stephen Edward Jones, and by granddaughter Jessica Jill Jones. She is survived by one son, Barry Jones of Port Orchard, and three daughters, Jana Jones of Olympia, Joni Caldon and son-in-law Michael of Port Orchard, Shari Connell and son-in-law Craig of Port Orchard, seven grandchildren, and five great grandchildren, all of whom she adored.