Janet Morris Jones was delivered into God’s hands on January 4, 2023 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. Janet was a strong woman who lived life to the fullest and will be lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, daughter, and friend to all who knew her.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, January 30, 2023 at the Chapel of the Cross in Chapel Hill, NC. A graveside inurnment service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro, NC.
Janet was born January 30, 1964 in Boston, MA to Mary Gertrude Lanergan and George Edward Morris, Jr. She graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT in 1981 and Davidson College in Davidson, NC in 1985. While at Davidson, Janet participated in a study abroad program, Semester at Sea, that allowed her the privilege of visiting 11 countries. It sparked her lifetime love of travel that she later shared with her husband and children.
After college, Janet moved to New York City to work as an Institutional Equity Sales Trader at Cowen & Co. During that time, she met the love of her life and husband, Tim. They met in 1987 and married in 1990 at Christ Church in Greenwich, CT.
Janet left the investment industry to attend Pace University Law School in White Plains, NY, graduating in 1993. Janet and Tim moved to Dallas, TX in 1993 and Janet joined International Concepts Group as General Counsel. Their three children were born in Dallas: George Ryan Jones, Graham Stansel Jones, and Charlotte Mary Jones.
In 2003, Janet and Tim moved their young family to Chapel Hill, NC to be closer to family and friends. Janet joined the management of a closely held family investment partnership to help with investment strategy, corporate governance, charitable giving, and succession planning. She was a member of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and, through the business, a member of the Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE).
In 2021, Janet and Tim retired and bought a home in Wilmington, NC on the Intracoastal Waterway and split their time between Chapel Hill and Wilmington. Janet loved being on the water, walking the beach, enjoying the birds, dolphins, and other wildlife, as well as participating in her favorite water sports.
Janet was very involved as a community volunteer. Beginning in 1998, she was a Guardian Ad Litem, representing abused, neglected, and dependent children, giving them a voice in court. For years she was a school and church volunteer where her children attended. Until her sudden illness, she was on the board of directors and served as Secretary of the Landfall Foundation in Wilmington, NC.
In addition to her husband Tim, Janet is survived by her children, Ryan, Graham, and Charlotte; her mother Mary Morris and father George Morris of Chapel Hill, NC; her brother Edward Morris and his wife Nancy of Hingham, MA, and their children Charles Edward, Hilary Jane, and Avery Ann.
Janet felt closest to God when in nature. She asks when remembering her, that you hold those you love tight and take time to hike the mountain, dive the coral reef, take a walk in the woods and on the beach, and explore our beautiful world. Enjoy every moment. Life is precious.
Memorial gifts may be made to UNC Lineberger Pancreatic Cancer Center.