Magda Kemeny Jones

Magda Kemeny Jones
11 June 1914 - 12 February 2007

On 12 February 2007 Magda gently passed away in her 93rd year.

She succumbed to a combination of renal and cardiac failure having recently recovered from falling and breaking her leg in December 2006.

Magda has always been a remarkable woman; we all feel privileged to have had her in our lives.

Magda is survived by her two sons, Kem (and his wife Donna) of Mississauga and David (and his wife Chris) of Edmonton. As well as her five grandchildren - Maureen and Steven in Ontario; Katrina and Samara (and her husband Geert) in Edmonton, and Eric in Calgary. Also missing her are nephew Chris Haire in London, UK, dearest family friend Robin Inskip in Edmonton; and many relatives and friends around the world.

Magda was predeceased in February 2001 by her beloved husband of 61 years, Dr. Richard Norman Jones; by her twin sister Klara in 1927 and her older sister Suzanne Haire in 1998.

Biography
Magda was born in Csany, Hungary on 11 June 1914 to Eugene (Jeno) and Bella Kemeny and educated in Budapest. She moved to England in her twenties where she met her life/soul mate, Dr R. Norman Jones (who was known as Dick at the time). They were married in London and Budapest in 1939. They moved to Boston in September 1939, then to Kingston, Ontario in 1941 and next to Ottawa in 1946 as Norman pursued his career as a world renowned scientist and she became his collaborator and secretary.

Magda opened their home to international friends and family. She was actively involved in many social and cultural activities in Ottawa. In the late 1950s she helped to organize assistance provided to Hungarian refugees in Ottawa.

Magda and Norman travelled widely throughout their lives making new friends and maintaining their friendships around the world. After Norman retired from the National Research Centre in 1978, they continued his research and teaching, including a series of visits to Japan, and three stimulating years in Tokyo, Japan (1979 to 1982).

In 1992 Magda and Norman moved to Edmonton where Norman continued his work at the University of Alberta with Magda as his collaborator. Magda was an active member of the University community - supporting student theatre, the professors emeriti and other groups.

In 2000, Magda moved to The Ashbourne (Garneau United Place) where she made many new friends and was an active member of the community - leading exercise classes, movie nights and joining in the Wednesday debates on current events.

Magda was a tireless correspondent and wrote letters and Christmas cards to her wide circle of friends. Those of us who had the privilege of living close to her enjoyed talking and sharing stories during dinner parties, evenings at the opera, and cups of tea.

We will all remember Magda in our own ways. Several images come to mind as we write this: Magda on her shiny red scooter in contrast to the white snow of Edmonton's winter; Magda's ready smile as she welcomed visitors, phone calls or letters from friends; her enthusiasm for meeting new people and keeping in touch with old friends; her vitality, curiosity and passion for life.