Wanda LaDoris Jones, 76, of Gresham, OR passed away Sunday, April 9th after a courageous, three-year battle with cancer. Wanda was born October 22, 1946, in Weiser, Idaho. The second child, and first daughter, to Bill and Ferne Jones. The family moved to Spirit Lake, Idaho in 1950 where another brother and two sisters were added to the family. Wanda attended grade school in Spirit Lake, Junior High in Athol, Idaho and high school in Spirit Lake and Rathdrum, Idaho. Her class was the first graduating class from the newly consolidated Lakeland High School in Rathdrum where Wanda was co-salutatorian of her graduating class. After high school Wanda attended Deaconess School of Nursing in Spokane but was unable to complete the program due to ill health. Wanda’s family had relocated to the southern part of Idaho where Wanda joined them and sought employment. In 1973, she relocated to Portland, Oregon where she went to work for Kaiser Permanente. In December 1973, Wanda welcomed a daughter, Catherine, into the world. In 1976, Russell joined the family. Wanda enjoyed reading, jig-saw puzzles, spending time with her friends, but more than anything, she enjoyed the time spent with her family. She was an accomplished pianist and played at her church up until her health kept her from attending. Wanda believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and lived her life to reflect her beliefs.
Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers, Keith and Roger Jones. She is survived by her daughter Catherine Gish, Catherine’s children, Darrien Gish (Philadelphia, PA), Kylie Gish (Fort Walton Beach, FL), and Wanda’s birthday buddy, Dylan Gish (Gainesville, FL), her son Russell Jones and his wife, Melanie, and their children Tucker and Finley of Boring, OR. Siblings, Ann Brinkley (Bill), of Star, Idaho and Shelley Naramor (Jeff), of Vancouver, WA and sister in-law, Margaret Jones (Tucson, AZ). She is also survived by four nephews and five nieces.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 15th, at Lighthouse Community Church at 495 SE 4th St. in Gresham, Oregon at 1:00 PM. It is Wanda’s wish to have her ashes buried next to her mother and dad in the Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge, Idaho.
Those wishing to make donations can make them to the Lighthouse Community Church to be used toward purchasing musical equipment.