Carmela Marie Jones

Carmela Marie Jones, 93, of Estero, FL, passed away peacefully at home on July 20, 2024. Formerly of New Hyde Park, NY, she had been an Estero resident for the past two years. Born August 17, 1930, to immigrant parents, the late Giuseppe and Teresa (Petrosino) Tempone, she was a first-generation American. With her older brother Frank, she completed their family of four. She was raised in Manhattan and Woodside, Queens, NY, where she met her husband, Donald Thomas Jones, in 1942. Their family homes were next to each other, and true to form even at such a young age, she didn’t hesitate to strike up a conversation through their bedroom windows. Rightfully, Donald soon knew he had a catch! He married his “Millie” in 1950 and they continued to converse and enjoy 73 years of marriage together. He still says he won the top prize by marrying her. She and Donald moved to New Hyde Park in 1962 where they raised their three children Donald, Carol Ann and Brian. They chose their house because it was directly across from her brother Frank and his family, and she was a devoted Aunt Sissy to them. She was an active super mom and always there for her children, attending many sporting and school events, beach trips, and vacations to Montauk. She had a strong work ethic and held various jobs at Woolworths and Pan Am Airways. Once the children were in school, she began working as a medical receptionist. She worked until age 75 and was beloved by her patients, many of whom thought she was the real medical professional in the office. Though named Carmela, after her first grandchild was born in 1983, she became Nana – which is how she preferred to introduce herself. If you met her for even one moment, she left an indelible mark on your life. Whether providing colorful advice to her children and grandchildren or brightening your day with a funny remark – she took her Nana duties seriously. And she’d be the first to tell you! Her personality entered a room before she did. And while she was tiny enough in stature to fit in your pocket, the firecracker inside her consistently burned bright. To be around her was to be illuminated in light, enveloped and entranced by the sparks she emitted. She was an avid New York Yankees fan and hosted many Yankees nights at her home, complete with assigned seats for good luck. She was famous for her meatballs, enjoyed reading every book by Danielle Steel and Nora Roberts, loved trips to St. Maarten with family, and savored the challenge of becoming a NYT Wordle Champion each morning against worthy opponents in family and friends. Nana was tech-savvy, remaining active on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with those she held dear. She was the embodiment of love and family and lived a truly complete and meaningful life. She was intelligent, spunky, and incredibly funny. To say she had a zest for life is an understatement; Nana fanned the flames so much that anybody she ever encountered will forever be aglow. She was the life of the party! She is survived by her loving family, including her husband Donald, as well as her children Donald Jones and his wife Connie of Naples, FL, Carol Ropke and her husband Thomas of Estero, FL, and Brian Jones and his wife Carole of Hillsdale, NJ; eight grandchildren: Christie Sullivan and husband Liam, Caitlin Coghlan and husband Kevin, Colleen Cadigan and husband Keith, Michael Ropke and wife Emma, Christine Ropke, Caroline Jones and husband David, Brian Jones and Connor Jones; and eight great-grandchildren: Cillian, Eamon and Devin Sullivan, Marie, Tessa and Corinne Coghlan, Casey and Nora Cadigan; and soon to be nine with another baby girl due this summer to Michael and Emma. She is loved by many nieces, nephews, and good friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Frank Tempone. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 28300 Beaumont Rd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Additional services to celebrate her extraordinary life will take place at a later date when she goes home to New York to join her family at Gate of Heaven cemetery. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church. Equally, she would appreciate a prayer for the Yankees and for you to know that she is always in your pocket.

Carmela Marie Jones

August 17, 1930 - July 20, 2024