Martha P. Jones, 101, passed away May 10, 2018 at her daughter’s home in Washington. Marky was born on July 26, 1916 in Eugene, OR. to Fredrick Arthur Wesin and Letty Squires Wesin.
Her younger brother died at the age of 2. After moving several times between Illinois, Indiana, and California, Marky and her mother eventually settled in Richland County, Montana, where Letty taught in a country school. Marky was a dedicated student, graduating from Sidney High School in 1934 and from the University of Montana in 1938 with a major in Spanish and minors in English and History.
She returned to school following one year of teaching in Richland County to complete a Commercial minor. Following a 2-year teaching job in Victor, she accepted a position in Cut Bank High School in 1942. Soon after moving to Cut Bank, Marky met the love of her life, Dr. Rutherford “Ruff” Jones, when she visited his dental office to relieve a toothache.
After this, Marky affectionately called it “the luckiest toothache” she ever had. They were married on May 24, 1944 in Cut Bank, while Ruff was on a three day leave enroute from Fort Lewis to the invasion of Normandy. After the war, Ruff returned to his practice in Cut Bank, where Marky continued to teach until she took a 20-year hiatus to raise their 2 children, Claudia Jones Elton and Rhonda Jones Jaramillo.
Marky returned to teach at CBHS as a substitute and then a full-time teacher from 1966 until 1983. She taught a variety of subjects including Journalism, English, Home Economics, Business Math, Current Events, and Mass Communication. Throughout her retirement, Marky was thrilled to receive letters, calls, and visits from previous students who expressed gratitude for her contribution to their education and character.
After her teaching career, Marky wrote weekly columns (Marky’s Mayberry) for the Western Breeze and the Cut Bank Pioneer Press From 2012 to 2018, Marky was cared for by Rhonda and Richard in Washington; but, Cut Bank forever remained her home. She is survived by her daughters, Claudia and Rhonda, her sons-in-law, Harold and Richard, 6 grandchildren (Lee, Justin, Eric, C’havala, Felicity, Mikyaila), 7 great grandchildren (Casey, Corey, Shandon, Chase, Bryce, Ruff, Rigg), and 1 great great grandchild (Jennifer). Marky loved the Lord, her family, her country, and her dear, dear friends.
To her dying day, she kept her love of Cut Bank in her heart. Thank you for loving her back. There will be a service for Marky on May 25, 2018 at 4:00 pm at the Presbyterian Church in Cut Bank.
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