Helen Jeane Jones

Dr. Helen Jeane Jones of Reno, Nevada and Malad City, Idaho, passed away peacefully in her Reno home on January 24, 2018. Jeane was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on April 24, 1924 to Sarah Mabel Evans Jones and Lyman “Dick” Jones. One of seven children, Jeane spent her childhood in Malad and graduated early from Malad High School to join the war effort.

After the war, she furthered her education, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon, a master’s degree from the University of Utah, and a doctorate degree from Washington State University. Jeane began her career as a high school teacher in both Marsh Valley and Soda Springs, Idaho. She later became the Administrator of Student Services and Dean of Women at Grays Harbor College in Washington.

In 1975, she became one of the founding directors of the Redfield Foundation in Reno, Nevada. Upon her retirement from academic life in 1982, she moved to Reno to help run the Foundation. In 1997, she became President of the Board of Directors of the Redfield Foundation, a position she held until her death.

Jeane had many hobbies and enjoyed gardening, playing golf, reading biographies, fishing, traveling, and most of all loved spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by her sister, Dawn Abbott, of Sun Lakes Arizona, nine nieces, Shelley (Blaine) Blaisdell of Malad, Idaho, Cheryl (Ben) Upchurch of Sacramento, California, Lee Anne Roberts (Joe) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Erin (Roy) Neal of Stone, Idaho, Traci (Rick) Randazzo of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Nancy (William) Cash of Bismarck, Arkansas, Barbara Jones of St. George, Utah, Glenda (Bruce) Hudgens of Draper, Utah, Melissa (John) Fowler of Mackay, Idaho, one nephew, Robert (Lisa) Abbott of Sandpoint, Idaho, and many great nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by both parents, sisters Denee, Alyce, and Nellrae, brothers Richard and Thomas, and one niece, Linda (Don) Maxham of Roseville, California.

Jeane will be laid to rest on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Horsley Funeral Home. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home for 30 minutes prior to the service. Graveside services will be held at noon at the Malad City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations in her memory be made to the Nell J. Redfield Hospital in Malad City, Idaho.