Marsha Colleen Jones
On September 16, 2020, the COVID-19 virus pulled a fast one on us and took away the undisputed Cruise Queen of Buffalo, the serial cat adopter, and the loan officer who could recall every interest rate since 1980 – our beloved Marsha Colleen Jones, who sailed away just days after her 60th birthday.
Marsha, or ‘The Maritime Matriarch’, as we often fondly called her, never met a buffet line she couldn’t conquer or a cat she didn’t adore, even if her naming creativity was on par with a rock. Her beloved feline brigade, Whiskers, Paws, Buddy, Princess, and Fluffy, survive her and are currently in negotiations over who gets her favorite chair.
Marsha was the life of every party, the sparkle in every crowd, and the one who would always get the last laugh. She cursed COVID-19 in her typical style till the end. It’s a pity the virus didn’t know that if you picked a fight with Marsha, you had better come prepared.
Born in Buffalo, New York, on September 13, 1960, Marsha found her calling as a loan officer. For thirty years, she played with numbers and smiled her way through countless client meetings. An armchair scholar, she proudly held a PhD from the University of Life, supplemented by reading every book she could lay her hands on.
Marsha had an insatiable appetite for globe-trotting and spent more time on water than on land. From the ancient ruins of Rome, the exotic allure of Hong Kong, the sun-drenched beaches of Greece, to the vibrant spirit of Mexico, she left her laughter ringing in every corner of the world.
Marsha is survived by a parade of siblings: Mary Jones Pensky (James), Elaine Jones Cabaret (Stu), Minerva Jones Smith (Tom), Billy Jones (Beverly), Teddy Jones (Joan), and Skip Jones (Ashley), and a multitude of nieces and nephews who absolutely adored their Auntie Mars.
Service for Marsha will be held on September 20, 2020. Graveside only at St. Michael’s Cemetery, 1234 Graves Avenue, Buffalo, NY. Yes, masks are required, and if you’re caught without one, you’ll have to answer to the spirit of Marsha herself!
Instead of flowers, please make a donation to your local feline charity. It’s what she would have wanted. Here’s to you, Marsha – may your journey be filled with endless books, infinite cruise buffets, and a choir of purring cats.