Janet Priest-Jones

AVERILL PARK - Janet Elizabeth Priest-Jones, known by friends and family as Jamie, was born on June 28, 1944 in Port Jefferson, Long Island, New York and raised in Patchogue, New York. She passed away in Hospice at Home in Averill Park (Poestenkill) New York, on July 13, 2024 surrounded by many family members. She was the beloved wife of Gerald Jones (Jerry) just starting the fiftieth year of their marriage.

Her parents were Beverly Marie Hansen, a high school English teacher born in Blair, Nebraska and James Edgar Priest, born in Brooklyn, New York who owned a general store in Patchogue, New York.

Jamie attended Keuka College and The State University At Albany where she earned her degrees in Sociology and taught in post-graduate school. She was active in and served as president of the “Scandinavian Forum Of The Capitol District” for many years. Jamie was a member of more than 50 varied organizations, especially involving animals and animal rights. She was a breeder/trainer/owner of Thoroughbred horses and member of NYRA. Jamie was a member of and rider in both Chatham Fox Hunts.

She was an avid hiker and mountain climber, having hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine. She earned certificates for climbing all the ‘Adirondack 46’ mountains, the ‘Catskill 3500’, and the ‘Presidential and White Mountain ranges’ and all 115 mountains in the Northeast U.S. Also an avid bicycle rider, she twice rode ‘The Erie Canal Ride’ from Buffalo to Albany. She was a member of several “Sweet Adeline Choruses” and enjoyed singing in performances and competitions including once at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Other interests included ballroom dancing and martial arts where she achieved ‘brown belt’ status.

Jamie was a licensed amateur radio operator for 40 years with the callsign ‘N2JJJ.’ She was co-pilot and navigator in the family airplanes and enjoyed long cross-country flying adventures.

She was a ‘spiritual and eclectic person’ having attended churches of numerous faiths. The United Universalist Society of Albany was her most recent affiliation.

As a life-long student of the works of William Shakespeare, she greatly enjoyed her extensive book collection during a long retirement of 23 years from the U.S. Postal Service.

Jamie was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Reserve as ‘Medical Specialist 5th class (Spec 5 Sergeant)’ with the 324th Medical (M.A.S.H.) unit from 1978 to 1987.

She is survived by sons Justin A. Jones, Jason L. Jones and Jordan A. Jones, stepson Christopher L. Jones , step daughters Leanne S. Mayberry, Felicia E. Maroncelli and daughters-in-law Yang Angela Liu, Mari Guerra, SeongHyun Kim and Crystal Jones, and sons-in-law Mark Mayberry and Anthony Maroncelli,  along with 10 grandchildren. . . . .Sigh.

Interment of her ashes will take place at Gerald B. H. Soloman National Cemetery in Saratoga, New York at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, she would have appreciated donations to any animal rights group. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.