Holly A. Freeman Jones

Born: 01/07/1955

Potsdam, NY

Died: 08/18/2026

South Burlington, VT

Details of service:

A memorial service will take place on June 19, 2027, at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Shelburne, VT, followed by a reception.

Holly A. Freeman Jones passed away on August 18, 2026, at the age of 71. She was born Jan. 7, 1955, in Potsdam, New York, to Mary and Philip Pepper and was later adopted by Richard Freeman.

She was predeceased by her brother Mark and her beloved husband, Dr. Dennis Jones, whom she married in 1995. Coming of age in the late 1960s, she brought a strong female force to the roles of daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She added generous doses of empathy and humor to each relationship.

Before moving to Vermont in 1992, Holly worked as a labor and delivery nurse in Rhode Island and was especially proud of her work with Women & Infants Hospital in Providence. Later, her family and friends came to know her as a doting “Mimi” to her three adored grandchildren. She also worked as a grief counselor, striving to make a positive difference in the lives of those who shared their losses.

She will be remembered for her talents as a gourmet chef (most notably, “all-day” spaghetti and hot turkey sandwiches) and “hostess with the mostest.” She loved Christmas, books, good television — including the news (MS NOW), which played in the background all day — shopping, crafting and playing Mexican Train with friends. She adored the many cats and dogs who shared her life and had a knack for enjoying the finer things. Most of all, we’ll remember her boundless generosity toward those she loved.

She spent many years living in Shelburne, raising her children, and Shelburne remained a beloved place for her. She also cherished the many winters she spent in Naples, Florida.

Holly was also a passionate Democrat who spent many years supporting and fundraising for local Democratic elections and causes close to her heart, including women’s rights. Her commitment to democracy and the causes she believed in was unwavering. We know she will do whatever she can from above to support democracy, especially in the 2028 election.

Across all aspects of her life, Holly’s sense of humor was a constant. Whether reacting to a particularly funny moment on film or TV, a joke made by her grandchildren or a comical comment made by a friend, her laughter was uninhibited and infectious. She had a particular knack for finding bits of comedy in the course of daily life, regularly bringing a smile when it was needed most.

Holly is survived by her loving daughters, Megan Daly and her husband, Dan, and Morgan Rocissono and her husband, Andrew Rome. She will be missed by her precious grandchildren, Nicky, Harper and Warren; her mother, Mary Freeman; her siblings, Crista, Jeff (Eleanor) and Mary Kaye; numerous nieces and nephews; and those who were part of her “family of friends.”

A memorial service will take place on June 19, 2027, at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Shelburne, followed by a reception.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Holly A. Freeman Jones.