Elaine M. (Rispoli) Jones

Elaine M. (Rispoli) Jones, 72, of Wilmington, Delaware peacefully passed away in the comfort of her home, surrounded by loving family, on Monday, February 24, 2025.  Born in Wilmington on April 12, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Jeanette (Mazzarelli) Rispoli.

Elaine attended St. Anthony of Padua Grade School, was a graduate of Thomas McKean High School and worked as a secretary for her father’s business, J. A. Rispoli & Son, Inc. for four years.  She was a well known and much beloved waitress at Madeline’s Italian Restaurant for 26 years, where she made many long lasting friendships with the customers and staff alike.  As a true “people person”, Elaine’s upbeat and loving disposition endeared her to everyone she met, with her smile and contagious laughter taking center stage. 

As much as she enjoyed her work, Elaine cherished her role as a devoted wife and mother, with her greatest joy in assisting with raising her beloved grandchildren.   In her youth, she enjoyed ballet, and also enjoyed time at the beach soaking up the sun.  She was an avid music fan, with 60s and 70s love songs being her favorite.

In addition to her parents, she was sadly predeceased by her son, Joseph Anthony Jones, who passed away on June 5, 2008, as well as her brother, Thomas Rispoli.

Elaine will be dearly missed by her husband, Edward G. Jones; her daughters, Erin F. Rivera and husband, Edwin, and Jamie J. Jones; her grandchildren, Emily Jones Rivera, Kamryn Elaine Smith, Edward Charles Smith IV, and Christian Rivera; her daughter-in-law, Frances “Fran” Jones; her sisters, Joann Medori and Joan Small; her sister-in-law, Joanne Rispoli; several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to visit at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Sunday, March 2 from 2:00 - 4:00PM.  An additional viewing will be held at the funeral home on Monday, March 3 from 9:00 - 10:00AM.  A Catholic funeral service will begin at 10:00AM, immediately followed by interment at Silverbrook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Elaine may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 (www.cancer.org).

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