Lasting Memories

Darlene Jones
1936-Sept. 19, 2008
Ladera, California

Darlene Jones, a longtime Ladera resident, died at home on Sept. 19 at the age of 72. She had been diagnosed last winter with cholangiocarcinoma, a fairly rare bile-duct cancer, according to her husband, Earle Jones.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Ms. Jones graduated from Colorado State University. In 1958, she began a decade-long career as a librarian at SRI, where, in 1962, she established a new Life Sciences Library, her husband said. Darlene and Earle met at SRI, where he also worked, and married in 1961; she resigned her position there when their daughter Andrea was born in 1968, Mr. Jones said.

Ms. Jones taught conversational English to foreign students and visiting scholars at the International Center at Stanford. She was also a volunteer at the museum at Stanford University.

An outdoors enthusiast, Ms. Jones was a member of the "Walkie-Talkies" hiking group, started by former Ladera resident Jean Rusmore, Mr. Jones said.

In addition to her husband, Earle, Ms. Jones is survived by two daughters, Andrea Ridl of Pasadena and Eileen of Santa Clara; a sister, Diane Davis of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; and two grandchildren.