Marika Jones

Marika Misky Jones passed peacefully on January 8th surrounded by her family. 

Marika never met a stranger.  On a plane, in line at the grocery store or a random gathering she would make a connection with someone—usually proffering a four leafed clover or a piece of hard candy as an ice breaker. Her warmth, sincerity and huge heart quickly won over even the most hardened introvert.  She was a person that communities are built around—an essential force of positive energy that raised everyone around her to be the best version of themselves.

Marika was born on December 8, 1943 in northwest Hungary to James and Elizabeth Misky.  She immigrated to the United States in 1957, first crossing the border into Austria and then to a refugee camp before flying into Fort Dix, New Jersey.  She and her family literally had only the clothes on their back as their only possessions.  They settled in Norwich, Connecticut and the entire family worked in fruit orchards to make ends meet.  Marika was a bright student and a talented athlete, winning the New England fencing championship in her senior year.  She met Bob Jones, the love of her life, at 17 while waitressing in Danielson, Connecticut.  They soon married and embarked on a life filled with kids, multiple moves and many adventures.  She was a patriot who loved America and the freedoms it stood for.  She would cry when the National Anthem, the Marines Hymn or Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” was played.  After the First Gulf War she organized the towns of Luzerne and Hadley for “Operation Pride” which welcomed home the service members from overseas.  Marika continued to work—in her early years as a big wigged, go-go boot wearing cocktail waitress at the Foxfire Grill, as a real estate agent, a bus driver for the Hadley Luzerne School district and as a highly successful entrepreneur as the owner of the Pizza Barn.  She found her true calling working in a home for severely handicapped adults in the NY State system.  She filled their lives with love and acceptance and cared for them with her entire being.  Even in  retirement, she refused to sit still.  During COVID she made hundreds of masks.  She was a woman of great faith and a dedicated parishioner  at St. Mary’s church in Luzerne where she made lifelong friends. 

She loved her garden, and even more so loved canning, dehydrating and giving away the bounty of her land.  She truly valued her time volunteering at the Open Door Mission in Glens Falls, where every Thursday she had her own station in the kitchen-preparing meals and giving many hugs to the less fortunate in her community.  

She will be missed by her daughter Elizabeth, son in law Neil, her son Wayne and his wife Christine, brother Steve, and grandsons Kyle, Nate, Ryan, Sam and Sean.  She was also loved and missed by her nephew Richie, niece Julie and Deb, Arri and Madi.

We know that the Luzerne and Glens Falls Community she touched will miss her too and we ask that in lieu of flowers, those who are so inclined make a donation to the Open Door Mission of Glens Falls.  We would also like to thank the wonderful Emergency Room, ICU and surgical staff at Glens Falls hospital for their professionalism, compassion and care for Marika.  A special thanks to the staff of Brewer Funeral home for their help and compassion.  We would also like to thank all the clergy who visited and made her last hours comfortable.  A celebration of her wonderful life will occur at a date in the Spring of 2025. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marika Jones, please visit our floral store.