Mary Louise Jones

Mary Louise Jones (nee Haley), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 13, 2026. Known to all as Mary Lou, she will be remembered for her beautiful smile, a generous spirit, her love of laughter and her ability to make everyone feel special.

Mary Lou was born in Wilmington, Delaware on April 20, 1933.  She was raised on the estate of Henry B. duPont in Greenville, where her parents were caretakers.  She was a proud graduate and athlete of A. I. duPont High School.  Her early life instilled in her a strong work ethic, a love of family, and a commitment to community. 

Mary Lou’s dedicated spirit and determination guided her employment over the years.  Initially she held various entry positions at the duPont Company.  After launching her family, she honed her money management skills as a bookkeeper at Ryan’s Parking/Valet Services.  Eventually she became the exacting comptroller of Diamond State Party Rentals and Sales, a company founded by her entrepreneurial husband and continued by her enterprising daughters. 

Mary Lou met and married the love of her life, Francis “Pete” Jones Sr.  Together they raised their children in the close-knit community of Christ Our King Parish in the City of Wilmington.  As devoted parents, they infused their growing family with lots of love, a gift for laughter, a bit of craziness, fostering a sense of community service as well as commitment to family. Together with Pete, she offered lifelong steady guidance to her children. Family and friends, friends of her children, friends of friends – they were all treated to a welcoming hospitality with drinks, food or treats which were readily available.  Mary Lou balanced the demands of motherhood, activities and work with efficiency and a smile. 

Mary Lou enjoyed the gathering of immediate or extended family and friends. Shenanigans and mishaps were her favorite stories to hear and to tell at these events. She loved a good game of pinocle. Her trips to Harrah’s, Atlantic City or  Delaware Park to play the slots always entertained, especially if a good meal was involved. She bowled with a league in her younger days and still talked about missing it into her 90s.

Mary Lou always enjoyed looking like a Talbot’s ad, unless it was cleaning day.  She valued a well-kept spotless home. She loved the color pink and pink items were sprinkled in most rooms of her home. Although she was a good cook, Mary Lou preferred others to do the cooking. Many restaurants in the Wilmington area benefitted from her love of dining out, especially Walter’s. She mourned the loss of some of her favorite dining spots as they closed over the years, as if she lost a friend. 

Mary Lou was a lifelong Eagles fan.  GO BIRDS! On game day she could always be found cheering or yelling at her favorite team.  Everyone knew not to call her or disrupt her during the game – even her beloved grandchildren.  She was a slightly less enthusiastic fan of the Phillies.  She followed them faithfully but didn’t yell as much. You could interrupt her during the baseball games.    

One of Mary Lou’s greatest joys was her role as “Mom-mom” to her special gems – Peter, Maggie, Delaney, Aidan, Haley and Molly. She relished being their confidante, chauffeur, cuddler, enthusiastic spectator, sage advice giver, respectful giver of nudges when needed, and the world’s best hugger. She felt pride in each of them and enjoyed following their lives.  She had the gift of making each grandchild feel like they were her very favorite. 

Mary Lou’s offered quiet simple advice included: Save your Money, Be nice to everyone, Take care of family, and Offer help when you can. 

She is survived by her children; Francis “Pete” Jones Jr (Michelle), Mary Beth Jones, Annie Jones Lawson, and Susanne Draper (Doug); her grandchildren- Peter, Maggie, Delaney, Aidan, Haley and Molly.  She had a large extended family with many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family offers a special thank you to Mariane Tarburton and Alli Tarburton for the attention and care they showed toward their aunt.

She was pre-deceased in death by her husband, Francis “Pete” Jones, Sr whom she still missed greatly after his passing in 2020, her daughter, Peggy Ann, and her 3 brothers, Joseph (Rose), John (Gail), and Michael (Ann) Haley.

A viewing will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Catholic Church, 10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE 19807, from 9:30am until 11:00am, where a Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00am. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19808. Family and friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon at Harry’s Savoy Grille, 2020 Naamans Road, Wilmington, DE 19810, following the interment.

In lieu of flowers , the family requests donations be made to The Sunday Breakfast Mission or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation.

To offer condolences, please visit:

Gebhartfuneralhomes.com

302-798-7726

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