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Lillian Joyce Jones
Visitation

MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg

Sunday August 17, 2025
1:00pm - 2:00pm

Service

MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg

Sunday August 17, 2025
2:00pm

Reception to follow in the MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre

Interment
Saturday August 23, 2025
11:00am
Baltimore East Cemetery

This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.

Lillian Joyce Jones

August 23, 1925 - August 1, 2025

Joyce has passed away peacefully at Northumberland Hills Hospital after a short illness, in her 100th year.

Born in Toronto, Joyce was the eldest daughter of Major John E. Finlay (MC) and Lillian Maude Finlay (Jackson). Joyce spent her childhood in Tory Hill, with her sister Joan, and formed a life long attachment to Haliburton.

During the Depression, her family relocated to Toronto. After high school, Joyce attended the University of Toronto, graduating in 1948 with a Fine Arts Degree, Art and Architecture. Following her graduation, Joyce worked in the University’s Rare Book Library.

During her early college years, Joyce served with the Farmerettes, an organization of young women who worked on area farms while the men were overseas fighting the war. Joyce is featured in a new documentary called We Lend A Hand: The Forgotten Story of the Farmerettes, where she speaks of her service to her country.

In 1950, she married Jack Jones, a Civil Engineer and started her family. Following Jack’s career in harbour planning, she relocated to small towns on the Great Lakes - Sarnia, Niagara Falls, Cornwall and her favourite, Little Current.

In 1956, after Jack became Chief Engineer for Toronto Harbour, the young family settled in Cooksville where she raised her three children. At this time, Joyce became involved with the University Women’s Group, and the local Rug Hooking Guild of Mississauga.

In 1983, following retirement, Jack and Joyce purchased their beloved farm north of Cobourg and set about enjoying the 1845 stone house and scenic Northumberland Hills.
Avid sailors and boat owners, Joyce would join Jack on many sailing adventures. Joyce’s great passion, however, was driving and she discovered every back road that could be explored.

Widowed in 2004, Joyce continued to live at Willow Ridge Farm, on her own, for the rest of her life. She maintained an active and engaging lifestyle, continuing with her crafts and building her extensive collection of rare and unusual books.

Her hand hooked rugs are legendary, winning awards and renown, many are of her own classic designs. Her contributions to the craft were inspirational and she was a valued and gifted member of the Rug Hookers of Northumberland Guild.

Joyce was an avid researcher of history and enjoyed her involvement with the Antiquers Group of Cobourg, always with an intriguing awareness of historical events. She was a volunteer in period dress at Lang Pioneer Village, encompassing all her talents and interests, and a member of the Cobourg Library and The Art Gallery of Northumberland.

As the keeper of family history, she was proud of her Scottish and Loyalist ancestors who carved out life in early Canada. Her home is filled with cherished family heirlooms and fascinating stories. Her quiet passions were many and her agile, intriguing and curious mind was enjoyed by all who knew her.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Nancy (Brian), sons Doug (Avril) and Peter (Donna). Her grandsons Alistair (Suzanne) and Andrew (Keisha) have given her five great grandchildren - Esben, Maisy-Bea, Breeze, Enid and Rhys. Her elegance and devotion will be lovingly missed by her family.

She will be fondly remembered by many cherished friends and neighbours.

Joyce was a remarkable woman, with a witty sense of humour, a wise, clever and generous spirit, an astonishing memory and a heartfelt love of country life. She remains a treasure to us all.

Visitation will be held from 1-2 pm. on Sunday August 17th at the MacCoubrey Funeral Home, 30 King St., E., Cobourg, followed by a funeral service at 2 pm. Interment will be held at Baltimore East Cemetery the following week Saturday August 23rd, which would have been her 100th birthday, all are invited to attend.

Message Of Condolence

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MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE / DONATIONS

Bryan Marjoram - August 7, 2025

Dear Doug, Avril and the entire Jones family, I met Joyce about fifteen years ago while doing some grass cutting on her beautiful, peaceful property. I was always impressed with Joyce's rug hooking skills. What a talented artist. She was a fascinating woman who was as sharp as a tack and she possessed a fabulous memory of her family's ancestry. It was always a pleasure to chat with her. We have lost a wonderful woman. Lillian Joyce Jones August 23, 1925 - August 1, 2025 "Rest in Peace"

Dorothy De Lisle - August 7, 2025

Dear Nancy Please convey my condolences to the family. I am one of the “Antiquers” who shared her passion for the appreciation of personal items of significance as well as the group’s sociability over several years. I also appreciated Joyce’s willingness to drive fellow CFUW women on jaunts out of Cobourg, and her willingness to even drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake for theatre matinees! Thanks to Joyce I was introduced to backroads along the Trent River. To reach the age of 99 and still be vibrant, interested in various topics and humble about her own talents is admirable! God Bless Her, Dorothy De Lisle

Miriam Mutton - August 7, 2025

Condolences to Joyce's family and dear friends on the loss of this amazingly talented and gracious lady. I will cherish the memories of my conversations with Joyce.

Gillian Durkin - August 7, 2025

My condolences to Doug and Nancy and family sorry for your loss.

Owen - August 7, 2025

Joyce showed me nothing but kindness in our long friendship. We shared through good, and tough times. She was an example to all of grace and compassion, curiosity and intrigue. Pool time with family and friends was always a happy time of day. Jack and her were like a well oiled machine , I never saw them at odds , just a beautiful mutual respect. Laughter at the ready, I will always remember Joyce fondly.

Eleanor Jones - August 7, 2025

Over the years I had the good fortune of meeting with Joyce. It was always a pleasure to be with her - she was great company. She will be sadly missed and a great loss to her family.

Dolores Skelly - August 7, 2025

I will miss our Thursday visit’s.I met Joyce 40 years ago,thru rug hooking. I. Enjoyed our talks about the early days.A wonderful lady. My condolences to the family Dolores Skelly

Bonnie Sitter - August 6, 2025

In Loving Memory of Joyce Jones. I met Joyce at 4th. Line Theatre in July 2024 when she and her daughter Nancy attended the play "Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes. Immediately I felt she should be filmed and interviewed for our documentary "WE LEND A HAND: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes". Mission accomplished. Now her memory will live on each time the documentary is screened. I am proud I was able to meet her and I will smile when I see her on the cinema screens. A life well lived. Rest in peace, Joyce. Thank you for your service. Bonnie Sitter Author and Historical Producer

Tom & Carol Cramp - August 6, 2025

To Nancy. We are with you in remembering your mother who gave you such friendship and love over all the years of her life. You were a great caregiver in her latter years and we know she was grateful for your company, friendship and love.

Lois - Anne Johns - August 6, 2025

I will miss Joyce and her wonderful stories of a life well lived. Joyce spoke about her husband often with such pride and love. RIP Joyce. You will be missed by many. Lois-Anne Johns

Martina Munroe - August 6, 2025

I will miss Joyce's presence at rug hooking. She was a great mentor and example to those of us starting the craft. Deepest condolences. Martina

Martina Munroe - August 6, 2025

I will miss Joyce's presence at rug hooking. She was a great mentor and example to those of us starting the craft. Deepest condolences. Martina

Andrew Buntin - August 6, 2025

Very sorry to learn of Joyce’s passing. Met her only once but we have many lovely recollections of Doug and Avril’s stories about this remarkable woman, may she rest in peace.

Emily Pratt (Patton) - August 6, 2025

Sending all my thoughts and love to Joyce's family and friends. She will be greatly missed by so many!❤️

Wally Sokol. - August 6, 2025

So sorry to hear about Joyce. She was good neighbour.