Colette Jones

Colette Jones, a resident of Longview, WA, passed away on July 6, 2024.

She was born on January 20, 1935 in Nancy-France to Guy and Madeleine Labourgade. She grew up in a wonderful loving family, the second of five daughters.

Colette had an usual childhood. She was a toddler when Hitler invaded France, and Colette's memory of several happenings during the war, always stayed vivid and unforgettable.

After the war and after high-school, majoring in music, Colette studied at "Ecole Nationale de Musique/Succursale du Conservatoire de Paris" in Nancy-France and graduated with a "Premier Prix" unanimously awarded for harp performance. Colette was privileged to get some precious harp lessons from the famous harpist Lily Laskine in Paris, and started performing as a soloist as well as in orchestras and ensembles, including the "Freddy Alberti Harp Ensemble" in Paris.

Then, a handsome US Army officer, Chaplain Captain Gerald E. Jones (Jerry) swept her off her feet and they were married October 3, 1961.

During her husband's military career, Colette continued sharing her gift of music as an organist, pianist, and harpist in many chapels where her husband was assigned, both in the US and Europe. During these times, Jerry and Colette were blessed with the precious gift of their two children Valerie and Gary, both born in Europe. While stationed in Germany, the family traveled to many places, in France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.

After Jerry retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel, the family went to France (where Colette always left part of her heart!) and finally settled in Washington State where Jerry went back to work as a civilian, ministering in serval churches. After living in church's parsonages for awhile, Jerry and Colette bought a small ranch in Toledo, WA, where the family enjoyed farm life with horses, cows, dogs and cats.

In 1975, Colette joined the outstanding Southwest Washington Symphony orchestra in Longview. She was principal harpist in the orchestra for over 40 years, until she decided to retire in 2016 because of health problems. Before retiring, she performed with her harp for weddings, funerals, receptions, and was guest harpist in the "Olympia Symphony" orchestra and serval ensembles.

Colette was also organist/pianist/harpist at Kelso Presbyterian church for 25 years. She also played in other churches and guest musician.

Besides being a musician and home maker, Colette was a French Instructor at LCC in Longview for 20 years and loved it!

But most important for Colette, was having her own family, being a wife and a mother, with forever loved passed on to her children and their extended family. Jerry and Colette shared an amazing life until his passing on March 18, 2010.

Colette was preceded in death by her husband Gerald E. Jones (Jerry); her step-son Douglas Jones; per parents; two sisters: Micheline Pfeiffer (and her husband Bernard) and Anik Gadol-Olry (Francis). Also Colette's fiancé Sammy (Dr. Howard Sam Anderson from Seattle). When they met, he wooed her, convincing her they were meant for each other. They became engaged and shared great shows, concerts, receptions and travel many places together until Sammy's health started to deteriorate. He passed away March 16, 2016.

Surviving Colette are her beloved children Valerie Fleming (Rick) and Gary Jones (Debbie); step-daughter Colleen Jones-Powe (Reggie); daughter-in-law Geralyn Lutty-Jones (Douglas, deceased): two sisters: Dr. Daniele Marquant (Dr. Jean-Pierre Marquant, deceased) and Claudine Boisdron (Yvon). Eight grand-children: Kody Jones; Destiny Jones-Carey (Nathan); Declan Jones; Kai Fleming (Melissa); Brendan Fleming: Joshua Powe (Darcy); Jason Powe (Jenny); and Kendra Harris. Eight great-grand-children: Novallie, Acelyn, and Lyla Jones-Carey; Scarlett and Kase Fleming; Evan Powe, Banyan Cross and Reese Harris. Also numerous very dear cousins and nephews.

Colette loved passionately all about life, people, animals, nature, music and art in many forms throughout history. She also loved home decoration, landscaping and fashion. She was praised for being beautiful, in and out, amazing people for never looking her age. Colette was always grateful for the fabulous loved that always surrounded her, for her treasured children, al her winder family and good friends and most of all, for the infinite love of God