Carol Ann (Schriner) Jones

PAXTON - Carol Jones entered eternal life on November 15, 2021. Firecracker, scholar, card counter, photographer, mother, grandmother, wife, athlete, Girl Scout troop leader, softball coach, survivor, and life of the party. Carol excelled at and loved sports: tennis, skiing (water and downhill), golf and others. When she was growing up, she spent summers on a lake in Canada where she learned to bait her own hooks, clean and cook what she caught and wallop a Muskellunge over the head before it sank its razor-sharp teeth into someone's leg. She never allowed her partners to poach in mixed doubles and was quick to compliment her opponents’ great shots.

Carol graduated from Ohio University and taught elementary school in the Cleveland School District. After marrying the love of her life, Bill, she moved to Bethlehem, PA. As a mother of two, Carol earned her master’s degree from Lehigh University focusing on early childhood development. She joined the faculty of Northampton County Community College as an Assistant Professor where she established an early childhood education program and helped students learn to nurture preschoolers.

Carol was a world-class Bridge player, competing in tournaments throughout the United States. She regularly competed in poker tournaments and took particular pleasure in beating those who believed women incapable of playing cards. Carol worked as a professional photographer, documenting life in the small towns of central Massachusetts, but her true passion showed in the artful black and white photographs she took and developed. Ever snapping away with her trusted Nikon and Hasselblad cameras, her photos showcased a unique perspective on life’s beauty, including her travels and friends she made in Africa, Asia, Europe, UK, and South America.

Carol felt great affection for her friends at Tatnuck Country Club, and the island nation of Aruba, which made her an official goodwill ambassador, held a special place in her heart. Carol showered her children, Victoria and Matthew, and grandchildren, Dylan and Madeline, with unending love and support. At age 71, Leukemia reared its ugly head, and Carol bludgeoned it into submission with a stem cell transplant-a feat her oncologist marveled at, given her age. In her later years she suffered from Lewy Body Dementia, a form of Parkinson’s disease that causes hallucinations, many of which were young children who Carol deftly guided and cherished.

She is survived by her previously mentioned immediate family, her brother Jack, sister, Pat, and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated will be held at 11:00 am on November 19th, 2021 at the St. Columba Parish, 10 Richards Ave., Paxton, MA. Instead of flowers, she requested that folks perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone in her memory. To share a memory or offer an online condolence, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com