Denise E. (Gates) Jones

SKOWHEGAN – Denise E. (Gates) Jones, 71, passed away on Monday, July 24, 2023, after battling a long illness. Denise was born in Gardiner on June 23, 1952, and grew up in Litchfield with her brother and three sisters.

Growing up, Denise had a love for animals. She continued that love into her adult years, always having dogs and cats in her life. In high school, Denise was a cheerleader for both the junior and varsity squads. She was proud to be a Mustang!

Denise also had a passion for music and had many musical talents. She had a beautiful voice, sang in a country band, and made sure to sing happy birthday over the phone to each one of her siblings on their special day. She played bells in the church choir and was becoming quite the bass guitar player.

Denise was also an avid golfer and gardener and gave golf lessons to those who were just learning or wanted to improve their game. Throughout her career, she worked in advertising and event planning, and ultimately became an entrepreneur, owning several small businesses with her husband.

Most of all, Denise was a devoted, loving, and supportive wife, mother, sister, and daughter who always put her family first.

She was predeceased by her parents Bud Gates and Evelyn Baker.

She is survived by her husband, Vurle Jones; her son, Todd Harris, her four stepchildren, Michael Jones, Denise Jones, Tracy Lloyd, and Todd Jones; along with her siblings Judy, Jill, Donna, and Dickie; as well as 11 grandchildren; with eight great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Barn at Loon’s Cove on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m.

Committal Service to take place at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Augusta on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 12 p.m.