Frances X. “Fran” Jones, age 72 years, of Hillsborough, NJ, died on Monday, October 26, 2020 at Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on April 6, 1948 in Weehawken, NJ, daughter of the late Francis Xavier Levesen and Sophie Hannah Dohrmann Levesen, Fran was raised in Weehawken and had formerly lived in Green Brook, Centerville, Somerville, Bound Brook, and Neshanic, NJ.

Working for the State of New Jersey for the majority of her career, Fran was an Instructor Counselor for the Department of Human Services serving the majority of her career at North Princeton Developmental Center in Skillman, NJ. When that facility closed, she then moved to Woodbridge Developmental Center where, just as in Princeton, she made a measurable impact for the better for all of her clients. Her natural, maternal instinct was well suited for her profession, and she certainly helped change lives for the better.

A workaholic who could not sit still, retirement, while sounding nice, was not in Fran’s nature. While working for the State of New Jersey, she would also take a job driving a bus for Valchek Bus Company in Hillsborough, NJ, where her outgoing and warm personality were much appreciated by her colleagues and clients alike. A true people person, she would also work several retail jobs including Modern Woman, Blockbuster Video and Dress Barn. Most recently, Fran was the warm smile that assisted you checking out at Tractor Supply in Raritan Township, NJ.

Insanely selfless, Fran was the matriarch of her family and her motto of always finding the best in people is one of the main legacies she leaves for her grandchildren to emulate. Known as Gmau, Gamma, and Nana, Fran loved her grandkids immensely and was there for them in every way possible; she was the ‘cool grandmother’ whose grandchildren’s friends would love to hang out with!

Extremely detailed and methodical in all that she did, her artistry knew no bounds and she was well known for her painting and drawings, all of which were done without any formal training. Among her family and friends, Fran was jokingly referred to as a female “MacGyver” as she could solve any issue with whatever was nearby; her car was, as her grandson David eloquently put, “a toolbox for life!”

Her most important legacy though, was that of teaching her daughters and all the men in the family, that a woman could do anything she set her mind too; she was a trailblazer for women’s rights and ‘Rosie the Riveter’ was an important role model for her and how she lived her life.

With a strong Christian faith, Fran’s essence and legacy could be summed up by Proverbs 21:36: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Her humility, compassion, humor and selfless love for all peoples will not soon fade from the hearts and actions of all who knew her and will carry those ideals forward until that time when all who are faithful will be reunited in the wonderful place of perfection promised in John 14.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, David Welsh Jones, Jr. in 1993.

Surviving are her children, Bonnie Irizarry, Brenda and her husband, Clyde Hoagland, Barbara Jones, Spring Rae Jones, and Rhonda Jones Burns and her partner, Barry Lake; her step son, Alex Luteran; her grandchildren, Brandi Irizarry and her partner, Don Tito, Jessica and her husband, Micah Howey, Brittany Hoagland and her wife, Amanda Reynolds, David Burns, and Donovan Burns; her great grandchildren, October, Nicholas, and Elijah Serrano, and Ava and Maverick Howey; her sister, Leanore Rigdon; a niece and nephew, Mary Mancini Thomas and Francis “Frank” Mancini; several other nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family; and many dear friends who will forever remember Fran’s hearty laugh and words of encouragement at every turn.

Family and friends are invited to a gathering honoring Fran on Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A celebration of Fran’s life officiated by Rev. Tom Roberts will take place on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home to which all are welcomed.

Please visit Fran’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contribution in Fran’s honor my be made to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, 3625 Atlantic Brigantine Boulevard, Brigantine, NJ 08203 or online by clocking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”