Margaret Elaine (Garrison) Jones passed away in the early morning October 30 at the Guardian Angel assisted living facility in Richland Washington after an extended struggle with Alzhiemer’s disease.  She and her husband, James Robert Jones, moved to Richland from Moscow, Idaho in January 2013 to be near her family.

Elaine was born June 8, 1942 to Melvin Leonard  Garrison and Maggie Alice (Crow) Garrison.  She graduated salutatorian of her class at Clever, Missouri Highschool in 1960.  She graduated with a major in elementary education from Southwest Missouri State College in 1964.  She and her husband Jim were married their senior year in college.  She taught in elementary grades (3-5) and remedial reading in schools in Ponca City, Oklahoma, Wakeeney and Hays, Kansas, Moscow, Idaho, and Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Elaine completed a Masters of Education from the University of Idaho.  She also gave birth to and raised two children, Douglas Palmer Jones and Robin Elaine (Jones) Tiller and raised them and saw them graduate from the University of Idaho.  Elaine is survived by her husband Jim, her two children, Doug, who lives in Seattle and Robin, who lives in Richland.  In addition to being survived by her husband and two children, Elaine is survived by her son in law Brett Tiller and two grandsons, Clay and Quin Tiller. She is also survived by her brother, Gilbert Garrison who lives in Ozark, Missouri and a large family of nieces and nephews.

Elaine was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.  In spite of working full-time until retirement age, she would rush home every evening to prepare the most wonderful home-cooked meals for her family.  She taught her two children to be open to the world and to love unconditionally.  She showered her two grandchildren in love as well and delighted in everything they did.  She knew from the time she was a girl that she wanted to be a teacher.  She gave her all to her profession and was frequently up past mid-night grading papers.  She taught many underprivileged children and her dedication to these kids touched many lives.   She and her husband Jim, a university professor, were both from small towns in Missouri.  They were true soulmates and shared many passions including education, culture, reading, being parents and grandparents, and spending time in nature.  They traveled extensively together throughout their 53 year marriage. Everyone who knew her will miss her “mega-watt” smile.  In spite of her suffering in the last few years of her life, that smile never left her.    

The family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff of the Guardian Angel Homes Memory Care Facility and the Chaplaincy Hospice for taking such good care of Elaine in her final days. 

In going through her belongings, her family recently discovered the speech she wrote for her high school graduation in which she quoted from a famous poem “Aloha Oe” by Don Blanding.  The words of this poem were fitting then and are fitting now as we say goodbye to one of the dearest people we will ever know.    

Aloha Oe

It's more than just an easy word for casual good-bye;
It's gayer than a greeting and it's sadder than a sigh;
It has the hurting poignancy, the pathos of a sob;
It's sweeter than a youthful hearts exquisite joyous throb;
It's all the tender messages that words can not convey;
It's tears unshed, and longing for a loved one gone away;
It's welcome to Hawaii and it's lingering farewell;
It's all the dear and silent things that lover's lips can tell;
It's woven into flower leis and old Hawaiian songs;
It's frailer than a spider-web and strong as leather thongs;
It's fresh as dew on ginger blooms and older than the moon;
It's in the little lullabys that native mothers croon;
It's said a hundred different ways, in sadness and in joy;
Aloha means "I love you." So, I say "Aloha Oe"