Christine Marie Clemens-Jones

Christine “Chris” Marie Clemens-Jones was born on a cold Chicago day in January of 1959. As the only daughter born to Harriett and Ogden Clemens she learned to roughhouse with her brothers and Father, while developing a special bond with her Mom. Growing up she became fascinated with art and acquired her Mom’s interest in flowers and all things green. She and her family took many vacations to Sanibel Island and the Gulf Coast. She developed a love of long sandy beaches, warm waters and shelling. Chris would continue to visit Sanibel and Captiva for the rest of her life, sharing the tradition with her husband. After high-school, she would forgo an art scholarship to attend Northern Illinois University where she received a Masters in Finance. Upon graduation, she rejoined her family, now in Pittsburgh, to care for her aging grandmother, Pearl. Pearl was dying of ovarian cancer, a disease that would also eventually take Chris’s life. Chris next moved with her parents to The Woodlands TX and she began her career. Chris would meet her future husband, Phillip “Phil” Jones at work. They quickly fell in love and soon married. Defying those that jokingly said it wouldn't last, they remained happily married and devoted to each other for close to 28 years. For medical reasons, Chris and Phil never had children. While this might have dampened some couples relationship, it only strengthened theirs. They focused their energies on friends, family and on each other. Chris was also a lifelong dog lover. Chris and Phil rescued a small mischievous pup soon after they married. In light of Chris introducing her husband to the joys of wine, they named this new member of their family Chardonnay due to this bundle of fur's golden yellow coat. Chardonnay brought Chris and Phil love, laughter and companionship for 15 years. Reluctant to replace Chardonnay but anxious to fill the void and help other dogs in need, Chris happened upon Basset Hound rescue. There Chris and Phil found a pair of bonded sister Basset Hounds, in need of a loving home. They soon adopted May and June (so named because when they came to the rescue they were sure they would be adopted by....May or June). So, now, Chris and Phil had two new fur babies to care for. The four of them, Chris, Phil, May and June, lived quite happily for some time. While on their 26th anniversary on the island of Captiva, Florida, Chris began having medical difficulties. It wasn’t until March of the following year that they learned Chris was seriously ill and they were given the bad news....Ovarian Cancer. Chris and Phil were obviously devastated, but they resolved to fight it together and they tried. Chris would remain brave, positive and optimistic through the long, draining, painful treatments. Phil remained constantly at her side attending to all her emotional and physical needs. Together they thought they had beaten it in October; however, within a few months it was obvious that the cancer was back. They continued the fight with medications and surgeries unnumbered. Eventually, Chris's poor body could suffer the indignities no further. She passed from this world on August 17th at 8:23am in a hospice facility in The Woodlands with her loving, grieving husband by her side. Chris's husband, Phil, would like to thank all the doctors and nurses that did everything they could to try to prevent the inevitable from coming to pass by providing and applying medical knowledge and compassion far beyond those that either he or his wife had even thought would be possible. They have both been touched by their help and concern.

Christine Marie Clemens-Jones

August 17, 2016