On May 10, Gladys Louise Jones (known to all as Lou) died at home in Vineyard Haven. She was buried in the presence of family in West Tisbury.

Born on September 25, 1934, in New Rochelle, N.Y. to Kenneth A. and Gladys Noteman Jones, Louise lived a long and creative life.

A diminutive woman with a smile and a cheery hello for most, she lived with her parents as a young woman and then moved into her own house in Vineyard Haven in the 1980s. Lou was a talented musician, gifted at writing and sight-reading music on the piano. Her home was filled with her creative projects, plants, artwork, embroidery and needlepoint, much of it framed and hanging on the walls.

Each year, she would submit one of her framed, embroidered pieces to the Agricultural Fair and usually received a ribbon. In 2019, she received the blue ribbon at the fair for an original embroidery design.

She was a prolific and enthusiastic letter writer, often on homemade cards carefully decorated with charming designs. In addition to her creative endeavors, Lou was a powerful swimmer.

The highlight of her year was the celebration of her birthday – a dinner party much enjoyed by all, which ended with great ceremony: the lighting of the candles on her favorite simple, highly frosted white cake.

Louise had an “adopted family” consisting of the companions that aided her with everyday life. They played music with her, drove around the Island visiting friends and family, cooked with her, went shopping and took her to the beach. They bought her clothes, maintained her aging house and took her to doctors and dentists visits. Most of them were with her for decades and included her in their own families. They shared in all the celebrations and struggles of her life and were as devoted to her as she was to them.

She is survived by her brothers, Kenneth (Mal), Larry and Everett Jones; their families, including nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.

She is survived by her companions who gave her so much: Linda, Sara, Kimberly, Joan, Ann, Shelly, Linda F.and her longtime family friend, John.

When it is safe from worries about Covid-19, there will be a celebration of Lou’s life.