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MARIA JUNE JONES
Born: Jun 23, 1942
Date of Passing: Jan 02, 2026
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MARIA JUNE JONES
Maria passed away peacefully, following a long and determined battle with cancer, on January 2, 2026. She was 83.
Maria is survived by her son Brian; her sisters Rae Magnusson, Lynne Magnusson (Paul Stevens) and Janis Magnusson (Bill Valgardson); her sister in law Eileen Jones; and many extended family members, all of whom will miss her dearly. She was predeceased by her husband Gerald, son Eric, parents Gudlaug and Agnar Magnusson, and her brothers in law Stefan Jones and Jack Dobb.
Maria was born and raised in Winnipeg. In her youth, she excelled in her academic and music studies. She attended the University of Manitoba, earning her BA [Honours] degree and nearing completion of her Masters. She studied piano and music theory, achieving her ARCT diploma, one of the highest academic credentials awarded by the Royal Conservatory of Music, as well as her AMM. After university, Maria taught school, primarily English and music, in Killarney and Winnipeg. After moving to Selkirk, she taught piano lessons privately for many years.
In the spring of 1966, Maria met the love of her life. In May of that year, while visiting a university friend she met Gerald “Buddy” Jones in the teacher’s staff room at Killarney Collegiate. They were married three months later in August after a whirlwind romance. When Gerald passed away in 2023, they had been married for 57 years. During those years, they raised two sons. Maria was a loving wife and a wonderful mother, and was so proud of her boys.
Maria loved spending time with her family, from visits and phone calls with her sisters and other family members to attending family events such as Christmas Eve in her childhood home in Winnipeg and the Jones family reunions at Hecla.
While family was always her top priority, Maria had a lifelong passion for music. She was a gifted pianist who dedicated her career to teaching others. Maria ran a piano studio out of her home in Selkirk for decades, teaching hundreds of students over those years and inspiring a love of music in so many. She performed as an accompanist countless times. She was the organist at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Selkirk for several years, a choir director, a music festival organizer and at one point was even a classical music radio DJ. She also loved to sing, and as her piano teaching career wound down, she found a new musical outlet by joining the Selkirk Community Choir.
Maria and Gerald travelled the world, visiting Iceland, many trips to Europe, the Middle East, Asia and all across North America. Maria treasured those adventures and always returned with many pictures. Maria also enjoyed an eclectic mix of entertainment. She was a long-time theatregoer, attended the symphony, watched reality TV (especially the singing shows) and sports. In her later years, she did not miss a Bomber game, and enjoyed watching figure skating and curling.
In her final years, Maria found enjoyment in quieter routines: visiting with family and friends, reading, assembling puzzles, watching her shows and sports, going for walks and enjoying time with her caregivers, Karen and Corinna.
The family would like to thank Karen and Corinna, Maria’s home care “angels”, for the exceptional care and companionship they gave Maria over the last several years. We wish to thank Julia at Centered Care Inc, Dr. Brian Lindenschmidt, CancerCare Manitoba, the Palliative Care team, and the physicians and staff at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre for the excellent care they provided Maria over the years and in her final days.
For those who wish, donations may be made in her memory to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Selkirk or to CancerCare Manitoba.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m., at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Selkirk. The service will be recorded and a link will be available on her obituary on Gilbart’s website.
Publish Date: Jan 10, 2026
MARIA JUNE JONES
Peacefully, on Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, Maria Jones, aged 83 years of Selkirk, beloved wife of the late Gerald passed away.
In keeping with her wishes, cremation has taken place and a Memorial Service will be held on Monday, January 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in the Selkirk Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Full obituary follow in Saturday, January 10th edition.
Publish Date: Jan 7, 2026 Make a donation to
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 07, 2026, Jan 10, 2026