Alexina Jones

Alexina (Zena) Mann Jones, 69, of Cambridge, NY, passed away from lung cancer on January 4, 2023 after a short illness. Born October 7, 1953 in Washington, DC, she grew up in Arlington, VA as the adopted daughter of James and Alene Warnock with her three siblings, James Thomas Warnock (Natalie), Victoria Fain Bradley (Grady), and John Conie Warnock (Tracey). Zena attended the University of Virginia (UVA) as the second female class (1975) to gain entry, where she majored in French. She met her husband, Thomas Monroe Jones (Thom), just prior to entry at UVA and has been with him ever since. They married in November 1975 at the St. Andrews Chapel at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. After completing her studies at UVA, Zena earned her Master of Library Science degree from Catholic University of America and began working for the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington, DC (1978) where she remained for the rest of her career, ultimately achieving top level civilian seniority. She began in the GAO Astronomy Department, then moved on to become a Technical Librarian, followed by roles as Human Resources and Management Analyst and finally Chief Administrative Officer. In 1985 she took a leave of absence to travel to southwestern Germany with her family for three years, where she made a number of good friends in the small town of Krownweiler. Zena retired from the GAO in 2008 and moved with her husband from southern MD to Cambridge, NY to be closer to their daughter. In Cambridge, she was an active member of the Democratic Committee, enjoyed yoga, French and German clubs, and found a good group of friends among the Cambridge Valley Cyclists. Zena also served as a volunteer at Bennington Museum, proofing grants and making online calendar entries. Her interests included croquet, gardening, home renovation, and spending time with her family locally and in Virginia and North Carolina. She is predeceased by sister-in-law Sandi Jones Garrison and her fellow Jones family "outlaw" Kathi Barnes Jones. She is survived by many extended family, who will miss her dearly, and by her husband Thom, daughter (and namesake) Alexina Buchanan Jones (Jason Dolmetsch) of White Creek, NY, granddaughter Alexina Jones Dolmetsch, and a grandson who is due at the end of January. Zena's ashes will be placed in a memorial bench in the Monticello Memory Gardens in Charlottesville, VA. A remembrance ceremony will be held in the summer. Cards or letters with fond memories or pictures of Zena may be sent to Alix Jones, 1109 County Route 68, White Creek, NY 12057. Memorial gifts in her name may be made to the Cambridge Democratic Committee, c/o Linda Salzer, 54 S. Union Street, Cambridge, NY 12816.