Mrs. Nancy Van Cott Jones, 83, of Ithaca and Unadilla, NY, lost a brief bout with cancer on Sat. November 15, 2014.

She was born to Leon and Marjorie Van Cott on October 31, 1931 and was raised in Unadilla, NY with loving sisters and extended family.  Attending Cornell University in the fall of 1949 and singing in Sage Chapel, she soon met the love of her life, Thomas W. Jones.  They were married shortly after her graduation on June 27, 1953.

Following short stays in Youngstown, OH and Salt Lake City, UT, Nancy and Tom relocated to Unadilla where they raised a family.  She was involved with many activities there and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.  Nancy also shared her love of music with the community and organized a summer concert series in town.

In summer of 1998, Nancy moved to Kendal at Ithaca.  She spent many years as a docent at the Cornell Plantations and joined the Cornell Glee Club on several European tours.  Ithaca’s First Congregational Church and their choir were important members of her beloved circle.  She was especially proud of being a founding member of the Kendal Sing-Along; as of late 2014 there had been 834 weekly song fests.

Nancy was predeceased by her husband, her parents and three siblings.  She is survived by her three children and their families, Margelia of Salt Lake City, David and spouse Lissa Morgenthaler and their daughter Margelia of Woodside, CA , Carey and spouse Melody Gower and their daughter Tabitha of Chelsea, MI and sister-in-law Clare Jones Bensley and husband Dean,  four nieces , seven nephews and 23 great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Kendal at Ithaca on the afternoon of January 17, 2015. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shared Journeys, 832 N Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850.  On-line condolences may be made at:   www.wmaddenfh.com.  Arrangements by the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home of Unadilla.

Graveside Services for Nancy Van Cott Jones, who died on Nov. 15, 2014 will be held in Evergreen Hill Cemetery, Unadilla on Sat. May 9, 2015 at 2 p.m.  On-line condolences may be made at:   www.wmaddenfh.com.  Arrangements by the Westcott-Madden Funeral Home 123 Main Street Unadilla.

 Service Information