Carleen L. Jones

Carleen L. Jones, 72, of Charleroi, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in her home on May 27, 2026, surrounded by her family after a long and courageous battle with End Stage Renal Disease. Carleen’s strength and positive attitude were unwavering, and despite many treatments and hospital stays, she continued to spread joy, make people laugh, and show remarkable resilience. Carleen will be remembered for her generous heart, her unwavering optimism, and the joy she brought to everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Carleen married Barry L. Jones, the love of her life, on June 24, 1978, and they shared over four decades of marriage. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around family, compassion, and love until Barry’s passing in April 2020. Their love lives on in their two children (whom Carleen always lovingly referred to as her greatest accomplishments), Jeffrey Jones, who is married to Katherine, and Rachel Jones, who shares her life with her partner, Donny. Carleen’s beloved pug, Shiloh, survives her as well, providing constant companionship throughout her final years.

Born on March 5, 1954, Carleen grew up in Charleroi, PA, alongside her parents, Bertha Jean and Bill Thomas, and her brother, David Kurowsky. She was preceded in death by all three. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Joy Kurowsky and Judy Jones; and brother-in-law William Ronald Jones (Cindy); cousins Laurie Rowley (Pike), Carrie Cromartie (Bruce), and Scott Flemming (Leslie); as well as many beloved nieces and nephews: Tom Jones (Kelly), Christy Jones Puskarich, Shelly Carney (Ryan), Jane Lavezoli (Jeff), Robin Fisher (Ray), Ronald Jones (Tracy), Brad Kurowsky (Reanna), and Matthew Kurowsky (Brittany). Matt held a place in Carleen’s heart much like a son, and she treasured the close relationship she shared with him, Brittany, and their children Aubrey, Elijah, and Landon, who lovingly knew her as “Aunt Car.”

Carleen lived life on her own terms and built a career defined by her independence, determination, and strong work ethic. Over the years, she worked in manufacturing at Fisher Body (formerly General Motors), as a preschool teacher at Hilltop Nursery School, and later as a manager at several Sheetz locations. No matter the role, she earned the respect of those around her through her reliability, confidence, and natural ability to connect with people from all walks of life. During her years at Sheetz, she became a familiar and welcoming presence to many regular customers, forming lasting friendships and becoming part of the community everywhere she worked.

Throughout her life, Carleen remained deeply connected to her hometown of Charleroi, where she later reconnected with many childhood friends, as well as her second home in Ellsworth, where she spent many cherished hours talking and laughing on the porch with her best friend and neighbor, Darlene Puskavich.

More than anything, Carleen cherished holidays, family gatherings, and time spent with the people she loved, always finding a few more moments to talk, laugh, and connect before saying goodbye. Those closest to her knew that Carleen never liked leaving a party too early, and in many ways, she approached her long battle with illness the same way, holding onto every extra moment she could with the people she loved most.

To honor her memory, a private celebration of life will be held at Jeff and Katherine Jones’ home, on Saturday, June 20, 2026, for close friends and family. In 2017, Carleen was blessed to receive a kidney transplant, which granted her several more cherished years with her family. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carleen’s name to Donate Life America in recognition of the gift of life she received through organ donation.