Anna Mae (Robillard) Jones

Anna Mae (nee Robillard) Jones, age 103, of Tonawanda, died Monday, April 13, 2020 at her residence. Born September 6, 1916 in Saratoga Springs, New York, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Anna (nee Harold) Robillard. She was raised in Tonawanda and attended St. Francis School, instructed by the Sisters of St. Francis. She graduated in 1930 and was presented with a five dollar gold piece for excellence by Msgr. Weismantel. She then attended Tonawanda High School and D'Youville College, where she earned her teaching degree in 1938. 

Her first job after graduation was teaching 1st to 8th grade in a one room school house in Colorado. The following year she taught 5th grade in Warren, Michigan. When the United States entered World War II, she felt it was her civic duty to serve her country. She enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary and served in New Guinea, where she was a chief clerk to the Provo Marshall's Office. She met her husband John during the war and they were married in 1946. John remained in the Army until his retirement and they had a wonderful life traveling and serving our country in Europe and the United States. They returned to Tonawanda in 1955. Anna Mae returned to teaching and taught Special Education at Central School in Tonawanda until her retirement in 1981.

Anna Mae was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, the Ladies of Charity, the Women's Army Corps, and the Tonawanda Women's Democratic Club. She served as Chaplain of the American Legion Post #264 in Tonawanda for 27 years and was presented the Legion of Honor Award for her service. Anna Mae was active in the Legislative Branch of the AARP, served as a board member of the Waterfront Revitalization Committee, and was an active member of the Historical Society of the Tonawandas for 50 years. 

She was the wife of the late John J. Jones, II, who died in 1966; mother of John J. Jones, III of Tonawanda, Francis (Joanne) Jones of North Tonawanda, and Anna Marie (Charles) Rice of Lakewood, New York; grandmother of Michelle (Christopher) Painter, Brian (Bethany) Jones, and Mark (Weilai) Rice; great-grandmother of Kyle Painter, Lauren Painter, Sally Grace Rice and Amelia Rose Jones; and sister of the late Frances (Rudolph) Chelikowsky and Elizabeth (Vito) Tocco. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

There is no visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be cared for privately at St. Francis Chapel, followed by interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Town of Tonawanda. If desired, memorials to St. Francis of Assisi Church, 73 Adam Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150, are preferred by the family.

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