Noreen Jones
Niantic — Noreen Prosser Jones passed away March 24, 2023, at Bride Brook in Niantic. For a person who was convinced she was going to “die young,” Noreen fooled herself and lived to 91 years old. She never fooled the family, and they rooted her on through all those years.
Noreen’s parents were married 13 years when they immigrated from England, and started the family they desperately wanted. Noreen, their miracle, was born in Nanticoke, Pa., on June 7, 1931, to Alfred and Beatrice Prosser. At the age of 12, Noreen moved to New London with her parents where she attended local schools. She graduated from Williams Memorial Institute (WMI), Class of ‘49.
At a local dance, Noreen met her future husband Burgess “Gene” Jones, who was stationed in Groton. A week after they met, he told her he was going to marry her. She replied “you are not my type.” Gene was right, and they married in 1950. Their dream came true when they moved to Niantic in 1952 and raised three children there. When the children were grown, they took cruises and bus trips until retirement found them enjoying Venice, Fla., as “snowbirds.” Gene passed in 2004, but Noreen continued to go down to Florida regularly. In 2018, she moved to Atria in Waterford to live out the rest of her life enjoying Bingo, card games and old movies.
Noreen is survived by her daughter Leslie Wickson and husband Arthur of Niantic, and Venice, Fla.; six grandchildren: Carly-Gene Wickson and partner David Amburgey, Christopher Herwerth, Jacob Herwerth, Brooke Jones, Shayna Jones and Devon Jones; and a great-granddaughter. Noreen was predeceased by her husband Gene; her son Gary Jones; her daughter Pamela Jones Herwerth; and her granddaughter Carly Wickson.
Funeral arrangements will be private and under the care of the Thomas L. Neilan &
Sons Funeral Home, 48 Grand St., Niantic. Online condolences may be expressed at www. neilanfuneralhome.com. We would like to thank the many compassionate caregivers and staff at Bride Brook. No words can convey how they helped our Mom and Nana move on in peace and the many hugs family received along the way.