Maura A. Jones

Amen. Dear Lord Jesus, Light of the world,1 As I light this candle, I acknowledge Your love and kindness. I acknowledge Your coming and Your sacrifice, and I celebrate Your resurrection and the gifts of Your Word and the Spirit. I pray that Your light enlightens my mind and spirit. I light a candle in loving memory of Aunt Maura & her light of peace ☮️ & loving spirit
Love to Jones Family

Janet Pratt says:

Maura and I grew up on 7th Avenue in Fargo, just a block from each other. As kids, we were not pals back then, but I was aware of the beautiful Lamb sisters who lived down the street. In 1996, my husband Dick and I retired to Lake Melissa in Detroit Lakes a few cottages from the Jones family. A cold and blizzardy winter brought Maura’ and me together with many, many interests in common. I still use some of Maura’s heirloom recipes that she shared with me. She was a great cook and loved reading as much as I did. We had wonderful hours together, especially in the quiet winter days. I think of her nearly every day.
My love to the family.

I grew up with Marg and being with the family in south fargo or at the lake.. it was like having a second family ! So much love and laughter! I miss those days and will always have the Jones family in my heart! You will ne missed Maura!🙏🏻❤️

Dan, Marg, Paula and Pat,

I extend my most sincere condolences on the passing of your beloved mother. Maura was a beautiful light in this world, a woman who inspired me through her strength, courage, resilience and perseverance. Maura will be missed by all who knew her. May the love and care of those around you provide comfort and peace in the days ahead.

I just learned of Maura’s passing today, Dec.14. We had so many good and fun times together. I loved Maura’s passions and her commitment to the causes she cared so much about. Richard and I used to play bridge with Paul and Maura. We had such a good times together. She was such a dear friend, When I moved away from the Fargo area, I missed our friendship. She holds a special place in my heart.

Dear Dan, Marg, Paula and Pat: As a child, I looked up to your mom. She always had a generous smile for me. She was very kind; and yet forceful when she was advocating for Tom or for an idea she believed in. I knew, even as a young person, that she was unique. Her life was an asset to all who came into her orbit. Thank you for sharing Maura Jones with the world. I am so sorry for your loss but I know she lives on in all who knew her.

In late 1979 as I prepared to move to Fargo from Wisconsin, I sent Maura who was the Executive Director of Cass County ARC my resume. My cover letter included that I was having our second child the end of October and was hoping to find part time employment with the ARC after the first of the year. I had worked at ARCs in another state and had experience in diverting persons with disabilities from institutional placement and transitioning persons from institutions. When Maura received my letter, she called and wanted to know if I was in Fargo yet as she wanted to interview me. When she learned I had not yet arrived in Fargo she said to give her a call when I got there. When I reminded her, my due date was the end of October, about 4 weeks away, she said she had 6 babies and they come when they come so I should give her a call. I gave her a call when I arrived and met her, where she said she needed someone to manage with special projects such as increasing membership and I should call her after I had the baby. When I reminded her, I was not looking to work until after the new year she said just give me a call and we will figure it out. The day after I had our son was born, Maura called me at the hospital to congratulate me and remind me as soon as I could she wanted me to start working at the ARC. I never asked her how she knew I had the baby and what hospital I was in but I did call her a few weeks later and began working there, often bringing my son with me. I knew nothing about Grafton or San Haven or the conditions of either. It wasn’t too long before Maura said my special project was working on the ARC lawsuit. As 1980 moved on I watched and learned from Maura about never giving up, when something wasn’t successful find another way and telling me it was good I was not from ND because people weren’t going to like me because the ARC was going to file a lawsuit against the state. I had seen and briefly worked at a Sunland Training Center in Florida and thought that nowhere else would I see such pain, suffering and warehousing of people, but I still was not prepared for what I saw at Grafton and San Haven. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, I accepted a position with Legal Aid of ND and had the privilege to work with Mary Schneider and Mike Williams on the lawsuit while continuing to collaborate with Maura and the ARC. I learned grit from Maura and a “never give up attitude” that I demonstrate everyday in my work at ND Protection & Advocacy. As time went on, I learned so much of what happened before I moved to ND and the ARC filed the lawsuit; not to take away from the many people who were in from the beginning, but I saw Maura’s daily work and drive to make sure the lawsuit happened. From my perspective it was Maura who pushed herself and others, worked her magic on folks and convinced the local and state ARC boards to move forward. I remember after my first trip to the institutions; I cried when I returned to the office sharing what I had seen. She listened to me and handed me a tissue and said, now go do something about it, this is our only chance. She lived her life without apology and could be heard saying that she and other people had made decisions based on what they knew at the time, but when there was new information, different decisions could then be made. She once told me she had lost friends over the lawsuit but when one is on the right side of wrong, they might pay for their decisions, but the price was worth it. I am forever grateful that because of Maura, I was part of improving the lives of people at San Haven and Grafton and continue to do that work.

We grew up as neighbors across the street from the Joneses then we moved across next-door to them. My parents, DON and Thelma Smith and my brother David and Debbie and Susan. We were all kids together just a wee bit older not a lot. You had a wonderful mother.