Attention: You are using an outdated browser, device or you do not have the latest version of JavaScript downloaded and so this website may not work as expected. Please download the latest software or switch device to avoid further issues.

NEWS > Alumnae News > Shirley Jones (Best) 1936 - 2021

Shirley Jones (Best) 1936 - 2021

Shirley Jones, Class of 1954, who passed away last year aged 85, was a Hampton girl, writes LEH friend Lindy Chris. She became a Holles girl in1942 joining the Preparatory classes in the Iron Room.

She stayed in Hampton when the buzz bombs came over and Burlington House was closed. She was artistic, liked sewing and embroidery and got Greek As from Miss Denney for her history pictures. She met Colin Jones at the Hampton Baths and got into trouble with Miss Scott for having his pictures in her desk.

When she left LEHS she spent a year at the now defunct Cripplegate Secretarial College and got a job at W.H. Smith in the Art Department. While on holiday in Jersey with classmate Faye Maynard she met and fell in love with James Wilson. They were married in Glasgow where, after starting their family, he decided re-train and become a doctor. After working as an anesthesiologist, he was offered a position in a hospital in Richmond, Virginia.

Shirley followed him on the Queen Mary with their two children Claire and Christopher and 12 pieces of luggage. Once settled, she joined the Presbyterian Church, sang in the choir, got her degree and teaching credentials from the small but prestigious Christopher Newport University and taught Middle School English. Shirley and James divorced but they both stayed in Virginia. Claire lives in Virginia and Chris and his two boys Rory and Ewan live in California.

Following another twist of fate, she crossed paths again with her childhood sweetheart Colin Jones. Following the death of his LEHS wife Jan Hollands and being an American Civil War buff Colin decided to visit some of the Civil War sites. Shirley met him at the airport. They were married for 10 years. We remember Shirley - blond, blue-eyed, upbeat, and smiling.

Similar stories

We were sad to learn that secretary and librarian Margaret Jackson, Class of 1948, who was known as Super Gran to her family, passed away in March, aged 92. More...

Please join us as we wish our U6 students well as they go off on their study leave following an emotional graduation cer… More...

There's nothing we love more than welcoming our fantastic former students back to school, so please don’t forget to buy … More...

It’s been a busy but fulfilling few months for Techpreneur Charlotte Burton, Class of 2012, whose new platform guiding f… More...

Classical singer Josephine Shaw, Class of 2021, now a second-year student at the Royal College of Music, was featured on… More...

Most read

There's nothing we love more than welcoming our fantastic former students back to school, so please don’t forget to buy a ticket for the Alumnae Reuni… More...

It’s been a busy but fulfilling few months for Techpreneur Charlotte Burton, Class of 2012, whose new platform guiding first time homeowners through t… More...

Please help Head of History of Art Alice Lindsay, hit her target for Cancer Research UK as she takes part in Ride London next week in memory of a belo… More...

Travel Story Award

 

CONTACT US


Lady Eleanor Holles School
Hanworth Road
Hampton, TW13 3HF

0208 979 1601
alumnae@lehs.org.uk

LEGAL

This website is powered by
ToucanTech