Mary Ballister Jones went to her heavenly reward on May 22, 2019. Born in Rome, New York in 1935, Mary moved with her husband and four children to Dale City in 1969. While raising her children, Mary contributed much to the growth and wellbeing of her community. She was a Troop leader for the Girl Scouts and a Pack leader for the Cub Scouts. A superb athlete herself, Mary was a founding member of the Dale City Lassie League, and coached several teams while also serving as a team mother to several Dale City Little League teams. In 2014 Mary was inducted into the Prince William Lassie League (PWLL) Hall of Fame for her service over many years to the League.
Mary participated in several adult sports clubs including bowling and darts. She was also the female Skeet Shooting Champion for the Prince William Rod and Gun Club in 1976. During and after her children’s school years, Mary volunteered at several elementary schools as a reading tutor.
In 1971 Mary began her job as the founding secretary for Holy Family Catholic Church. Through her work at the Church she served with The Legion of Mary where she was a lifelong auxiliary member. In 1976 Mary became a Realtor and worked with several local companies, the last was Long and Foster. While at Long and Foster she volunteered with Project Mend a House and set up a food donation bin at the office which she delivered to a local food bank. After retiring, Mary was asked to serve on the Holy Family Parish Council by Rev. Gerry Creedon. She used her considerable knowledge of real estate to assist with VOICE, a volunteer group that sought redress for those wrongly foreclosed on by banks during the financial crisis of 2008.
Mary leaves behind three daughters: Dawn Zagarella, Tara Genova (Pietro), Carla Kelley (Dan), all of whom played for the PWLL. She was predeceased by her son Clay Jones (Ann) and three brothers: Buzz (Gail), Bob and Cliff Ballister. She leaves eight grandchildren: Brandi (who played for and is currently a coach in the PWLL), Carrie, Sera, Patrick, Carlo, Mariah, Mario, and Joe, and eight great-grandchildren (one of whom, Brandi’s daughter Taylor, played for the PWLL, making four generations of Mary’s family to participated in the League!)), her sister Judi Hoyte, brother Paul Ballister (Cindy), and beloved nephews, nieces and treasured friends. Mary’s intelligence and beauty were only enhanced by her giving and gentle nature. She had an innate drive to succeed but never to the cost of anyone else. All who spent time with Mary would enjoy her wonderful sense of humor and wit. All of this, and her lifelong example of service for others, will be her legacy.