Barbara Kay (Gross) Jones, age 70 of Ithaca, passed away September 29, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 15, 1951, to Kenneth and Naomi (White) Gross. She married the love of her life, Gary Jones on September 20, 1969.
Barb worked at Wolverine for several years then waitressed for many years, most noticeably at The Ranch House where she met many lifelong friends. She retired from Downtown Dime in Ithaca to spend more time with her family and grandchildren. Barb was a caregiver at heart and had an energy that didn’t stop. She loved life and she loved people, she never met a stranger. She was dependable to a fault and somehow was always there in your time of need. She loved music, dancing, and mowing the lawn - especially her neighbor’s, even if they were unaware, if she thought they needed it. She loved to sit in the garage and visit with family and friends and watch the neighborhood happenings. It wasn’t unheard of for a passerby to see Barb out in the driveway or garage dancing with family or friends with her Elvis cranked up on the radio. Barb was the glue that held her family together and she had a sense of humor that often left a tear in your eye from laughing so hard.
She is survived by her daughters, Kelly (Scott) Hipolite of Ithaca, and Joey (Judd) Anderson of Sheridan. Grandchildren, Brandon (Paige) Hipolite of Sumner and Addyson (Ethan Wood) Anderson of Sheridan. Great grandson, Madden Hipolite of Sumner. Brother, Bud (Evangeline) Gross of Henderson, Nevada. Sisters-in-Law, Kerry Gross of Clarkston, Connie Clarke of St. Louis, and Bonnie (Duane) Bartlett of Florida. Her adoptive daughter/friend/caregiver, Becky Anderson of Ithaca. Several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Larry Gross, and sister Grace Myers.
A memorial service will be held at 11am Sunday, October 3, 2021 at the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Visitation will take place from 10am until 11am prior to the service. Interment will follow in Ithaca Cemetery. Barb’s request was for people to come in casual clothing. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sparrow Hospice.
The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home in Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.