Judith Diane Jones, 82, a longtime resident of Montesano and former medical receptionist, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Summit Pacific Medical Center in Elma, Washington.

Judith was born on Nov. 3, 1941, to mother Irene Ekendahl in Elma, Washington. She was raised in the Aberdeen and Hoquiam areas, attending Hoquiam schools. After school, Judith met Billy Joe Jones, and they later married. The couple had 9 children: Andy, Angela, Andrea, Billijo, James, Joseph, Kirk, Shannon and Susan. Judith and Billy Joe later divorced.

While her children were young, Judith focused on her home and kids before returning to work when her youngest entered school, working as a switchboard operator for the large sewing company, Stretch & Sew for 8 years. Judith and her family moved to Springfield, Oregon when she started work with US West as a telephone operator. Down the road, they moved to Salem, Oregon when Judith received a job as a receptionist at a local orthopedic office where she remained for 25 years, retiring at 65. After retirement, Judith moved back to Washington for some time, living in Aberdeen before finding her forever home in Montesano, Washington.

Judith loved to read, beginning when she was young, she always enjoyed a good book. She also enjoyed animals and knitting, specifically knitting baby blankets. She favored spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Judith is preceded in death by her sons: James Jones, Joseph Jones, and youngest, Kirk Jones; granddaughter, Anna Myers; and great-granddaughter, Priscilla.

Judith is survived by her son, Andy (Joyce) Jones of Aberdeen, Washington; daughters: Billijo (Lonnie) Rich of Aberdeen, Washington; Susan Gardner of Vancouver, Washington; Angela Myers of Gresham, Oregon; Andrea Jones of Orlando, Florida; and Shannon (Wes) Dahlquist of Arizona; brother, Mike Norris of Springfield, Oregon; sister, Ann (Chuck) Watson, of Woodland, Washington; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Private family services will be held at a later time. No public services will be held. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.