Melissa R. Jones

Melissa R. Jones, 72, of North Kingstown, RI, and Waynesville, NC, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on September 10, 2025, following a brief illness.

Born in Warwick, RI, Melissa spent her early years in Governor Francis Farms, where she was active with her parents in the Pilgrim Lutheran community and her mother’s Brownie troop. It was during this time that she discovered her love of baking Christmas cookies—a joy she carried throughout her life. Her nutmeg butterballs, ginger snaps, and Swedish checkerboards became beloved holiday favorites eagerly awaited by family and friends every December.

At the age of 10, Melissa and her family moved to her beloved Nantucket Island, a place that forever held her heart. There, her sister Danica was born, completing their family. Melissa attended Academy Hill Elementary School and later Lincoln School in Providence, RI, where she formed many lifelong friendships. Summers on Nantucket deepened her connection to the island and nurtured friendships that lasted her entire life. A highlight in later years was returning to Nantucket with her daughters to celebrate her 70th birthday.

Melissa’s greatest dream came true with the birth of her daughters, Meredith (1974) and Amanda (1976). A few years later, she joyfully welcomed her stepdaughter Shannon, and together they became her “three peas in a pod.” Her family lived in Vermont for over twenty years, where Melissa made a home in Brookfield. She loved her log cabin, tending gardens, raising turkeys, and caring for her golden retrievers and her orange tabby Butterscotch. An accomplished cook, she started Melissa’s Cakes and Catering and later built a commercial kitchen on her property. She also provided private duty home care, forming lasting bonds with many she served.

As her daughters went off to college, Melissa left the cold winters of Vermont for sunny Naples, FL. There, she continued her careers in food service and caregiving. While serving as food services director at Edison Community College, she met her husband, Michael, who quickly became a daily visitor to her cafeteria—and to her heart. They married and shared 23 wonderful years together. Life in Naples brought friendships, community with the East Naples Fire Department, and shared adventures: flying in Michael’s plane, strolling the Naples pier, enjoying local restaurants, and visiting casinos.

Upon Michael’s retirement, they traded the beach for the mountains, moving to Waynesville, NC. Melissa loved creating her dream home in Cataloochee Mountain Estates, often doing the work herself. She filled it with flowers, seasonal décor, and warmth. From her porch, she delighted in views of the Smoky Mountains and the wildlife that roamed nearby. Her favorite daily ritual was visiting Jackson, the neighborhood donkey.  She always had an apple in hand, his favorite treat!  In 2019, she proudly hosted her entire family in North Carolina, treating them to the area’s beauty and a joyful trip to Dollywood.

In 2023, Melissa’s life came full circle when she returned to Rhode Island to be near her family. Settling just a few houses away from her daughter Meredith, she embraced her favorite role of all: grandmother. Known proudly as “Grammy of 7,” she poured her heart into her grandchildren’s lives—attending school plays, sports games, and birthdays, sending cards for every occasion, and showering them with love. She wore her “World’s Greatest Grandma” license plate with pride and joy.

Melissa also loved to travel. She cruised to destinations across the globe, from the Caribbean and South America to Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. She also proudly visited all 50 states before turning 50. At home, she delighted in decorating for the holidays, watching HGTV and Hallmark Channel with her daughters, and filling her days with kindness, gratitude, and love for family and friends.

Melissa is survived by her loving husband, Michael; devoted daughters, Meredith Sheehan (James) and Amanda Kiruthi (Kiruthi Njenga); sister, Danica Buckley; grandchildren, Colin, Liam, Abigail, Dorothy, Lucy, Daimyen, and Dauntaye; and great-grandson, Julian. She was predeceased by her beloved stepdaughter Shannon and her parents, John and Dolores Buckley. Melissa’s heart never healed from Shannon’s passing from ALS in 2012, and her family takes comfort in knowing they are now reunited.

The family is deeply grateful to the healthcare teams at South County Hospital, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital, and Roberts Health Centre for their compassionate care.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 17, at 11:00 AM at St. Francis de Sales Church, 381 School Street, North Kingstown, RI. Burial will be private.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 16, from 4:00–7:00 PM in THE CRANSTON-MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of WICKFORD,  140 West Main Street, Wickford Village, North Kingstown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The ALS Association at www.als.org, the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org, or the Cape Cod Chorale at www.capecodchorale.org.

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