Ethel Jones, 1984

A native of Illinois, Mrs. Jones "did housework for others to make ends meet when my kids were growing up." She also owned a restaurant in Detroit for a while. She has always loved the out-of-doors. "Hiking, picnics - and especially fishing - were my favorite activities. Even walking was nice. I loved pretty parks and trees. I still like to be outdoors. I like the pretty garden at the Day Center," she said in 1984.  She vividly recalls, "struggling to feed my kids when they were young. We were real poor. But I always took care of my kids. Did the best I could for them." She lived with her son who was not well in 1984. "That worries me. Who will take
care of him when I'm not here? I cannot do so much for myself or my son now. But I'm trying- always going to try, but I don't think that's enough."

Source: Raymond Bial, There is a Season, Champaign County Nursing Home, 1984.