Helen Jones

Madison-Helen (Roell Kenyon) Jones, age 91, passed away on Monday, April 18, 2016 at Waunakee Manor. She was born on November 1, 1924 in Chilton Wisconsin, the daughter of Lawrence and Armella (Schwoerer) Roell. She graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School and Chilton High School in 1942. Helen then continued her education at St. Agnes School of Nursing in 1946. In 1947, she accepted a job at the veterans Hospital in Madison. It was located on the grounds of Mendota State Hospital. After it closed, she worked in the community and private duty nursing. She married Thomas Carl Kenyon on July 2, 1949. Helen accumulated 23 years while raising her family and providing child care for other working mothers. She was especially fond of Anne Jafferis who came regularly for fourteen years. After the death of her first husband, Helen married Frederick Jones, who was a close friend, in May of 1972. She retired from state service in 1987.

During her lifetime, Helen was an active member of St. Mary of the Lake, St. Bernards and St. Peter Catholic Church. Helen loved to pray the rosary and often led the prayers. She was an active member of the Schoenstatt Movement. She loved to use the computer, but could not always master it. She enjoyed sewing, quilting and traveling and served several terms on the Cherokee Condo Board. Helen loved senior bowling and she volunteered at the Veterans Hospital for twenty years. After retirement, Helen and her husband learned to play Bridge and also took dancing lessons. They travelled through all fifty states and much of Europe. She became interested in genealogy and loved researching family history and the challenge of meeting with relatives and classmates for reunions. Helen was an active member of the Catholic Financial Life and was also chaplain of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Helen is survived by her son, Larry Kenyon of Ann Arbor, MI, Glen (Sharon) Kenyon of Madison and Paul (Joan) Kenyon of Madison; two stepsons, Alfred and Leslie Jones of Madison; and two grandchildren, Matthew Waishwell and Laura Jones.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Thomas Kenyon. She was also preceded by her daughter Shari (Al) Waishwell; son, Karl (Robin) Kenyon and granddaughter Angela who were killed as a result of a car accident; and her sister Lorraine (Wayne) Capelle.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11am on Friday, April 22, 2016 at ST PETER CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5001 N Sherman Ave, Madison with Msgr. Charles Schluter presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 9 am until the time of service. A private burial will take place at a later date at HIGHLAND MEMORY GARDENS.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Schenstatt-Heights Sisters of Mary, 5901 Cottage Grove Rd, Madison, WI 53718.