Marilyn Elinor Petrie Jones, 85, of Wiscasset, died Nov. 20 after a long illness at the St. Andrews Gregory Wing in Boothbay Harbor, surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong resident of Wiscasset, Marilyn was born at the home of her parents, Donald and Frances Petrie, in 1927. The eldest of six children, she completed high school at the Wiscasset Academy in 1945 as Salutatorian of her class. Marilyn was an active young member of St. Phillips Church.
In 1946 Marilyn married George Jones of Damariscotta, home from the war in the Pacific, and together they built Yankee Wholesale Company, a successful regional supplier of candy and tobacco to independent stores along Maine’s midcoast. The company was acquired by Pine State Trading in 1979.
Marilyn was a member of the Mayflower Society, and served as Worthy Matron of the Garrison Hill Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She delighted in the historic house she and George bought in 1950, and as their business grew and prospered she made many improvements to her beloved home where she raised her three children, and helped George pilot the expansion of their business.
During their retirement years she and husband George enjoyed spending time at their summer cottage in Boothbay Harbor and their golf retreat in Jupiter, Fla. as well as visiting with their grandchildren. The couple recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on Nov. 16.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents; beloved aunt, Helen Cowley Erskine; uncle, Roger Cowley; brother, Donald Gordon Petrie; and brother, Robert Lawson Petrie II, who died in infancy.
She is survived by husband George Jones; children, Donald Jones of Wiscasset, Dale Jones of River Forest, Ill., and Dawn Jones of Morrison, Col.; Dale’s wife, Mary Ann Cooper, and their children, Jeremy and Carly, and Dawn’s husband, Craig Currie, and their children Ethan and Emily; and sisters, Helen Shorey of Wiscasset, Barbara Sanborn of Brewer, and Priscilla Campbell of Wiscasset; sister-in-law, Lillian Petrie of Famouth; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Sat., Jan. 19, 2013 at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
Gifts in memory of Marilyn may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association – Maine Chapter, 383 US Route 1, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos and tributes with the Jones family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
