Obituary of Dawn L. Jones

Olean, NY - Dawn L. Jones, 73, passed away on Thursday (November 3, 2022) at Olean General Hospital after a long illness. Born December 25, 1948, in Baltimore, MD, she was the daughter of Roland and Dorothy Fischer LaPorte. On August 1, 1987, in Buffalo, she married Stephen Jones, who survives her. Dawn attended Ithaca College for two years before transferring to the University of Buffalo, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music, with a specialization in classical guitar. She subsequently earned a master’s degree in music education from the University of Buffalo. Dawn went on to a 30-year career as a vocal music teacher in the Williamsville Central School District, working with students at the Academy and North Forest elementary schools. Dawn’s devotion to music also led her to perform locally with the folk music groups The Yorktowne Singers and Centrepeace. Her other passions included quilting, wood sculpting, sketching, and the care of her beloved dogs. An early supporter of urban homesteading, Dawn purchased a house in downtown Buffalo at a time when many others were fleeing the city. But she subsequently developed an interest in a life closer to nature—an interest that led her and her husband Steve to purchase a large wooded property—affectionately called “The Land”-- in the hills outside of Olean in 1989. Dawn is survived by her husband of 35 years; brother David LaPorte of Crestwood, Australia; sister Valerie LaPorte of Somerset, NJ; sister-in-law Elizabeth LaPorte of West Seneca, NY; and brother-in-law David Burns of Somerset, NJ. She is also survived by her stepsons Dylan (Janis) Jones of Horseheads, NY, and Eric Jones of Buffalo, NY; grandchildren Andrea Jones and Andrew Jones; and nieces Amy LaPorte, Christine (Kevin) Knab, Helena LaPorte-Burns, and Caroline LaPorte-Burns. Dawn was predeceased by her brother Roland “Ron” LaPorte and nephew Mark LaPorte. The family will receive friends on Saturday (November 12, 2022) from 12 pm to 2 pm at the Casey, Halwig, and Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 West State Street, Olean. A memorial service will begin at 2 pm in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dawn’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38015, or Empire Animal Rescue Society, P.O. Box 445, Salamanca, NY 14779. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.