The image I retain about Dr. Mary is that her face always smiled, even when she wasn't smiling. Her warmth radiated from her at all times. It filled whatever room she was in.

Miss you today Dr. Mary. May your soul rest in peace.

It's wonderful Dr. Mary's birthday. Every moment with her was a gift.

Dr. Mary has been a part of our lives since our daughter, Alex was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in 2011. We first met her at Katie’s clinic and I remember feeling instantly loved, cared for, and understood by Dr. Mary. She made our journey into the world of Rett seem less scary. She was there for us during every hospitalization and struggle. I really can’t put into words what her support and care has meant to us over the years and I know she has made a tremendous impact in the lives of so many people. She was a true blessing to us and I am truly grateful to have known her❤️

o what a tremendous loss! Dr Mary's warmth, compassion and gentle touch with my children and with me meant everything! Her guidance and loving throughout my son's early years helped me to believe that yes, things were going to be ok. Different but ok. And her steadfast reassurance when my little preemie daughter was born that that little tiny being was perfect, well, i just believed her. Dr Mary's mere presence was a gift i will forever cherish!

Dr. Mary was my saving grace when I was a single mother with a very sick baby. Nobody could help me for two years until we found Dr. Mary who with time, intelligence and the ultimate care, took care of my daughter of me and we were both able to heal. We will never forget you Dr. Mary. Coming to your office and visiting you was always a complete joy and your care has lived on in us. 

We were very blessed to have met Dr. Mary over 20 years ago when we first moved to Orinda. She took care of our sons, from the time they were toddlers until they went off to college, and even beyond as they volunteered at Katie’s clinic. As parents it was such a comfort to know Dr. Mary was there—she had an uncanny ability to convey a sense that everything was going to be okay, no matter what illness or challenge was at hand. She embodied the concepts of kindness and caring love-- and was dearly beloved by us and so many others. It is with greatest sympathies to her family that we reflect and celebrate her life. 

Late Fragment by Raymond Carter
And did you get what
you wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth


Chris and Andy Chen

Mary, sweet sister and sister-in-law, you were born with that "something special" about you that made each and every person you met feel so very loved and important. You loved your quiet spoken brother so much and welcomed me into your family like you'd known me forever. Through the years we saw you grow to become a wonderful wife, mother, doctor, and friend. You constantly amazed Mike, me, and our sons with how you seemed to be able to be everywhere and there for everyone with such energy, grace and wisdom. We will hold the times together and memories shared close to our heart, Mary Rose.

Mary was such a warm and caring person. She made the world a better place, and was an inspirational role model. Mary was very giving, and genuinely interested in finding ways to be helpful and connecting people. I have fond memories of the many times she welcomed me to the Jones' family gatherings, where she touched me with her kindness and joy. She will be greatly missed.

Elaine

Mary gave more than heart and soul to so many children and families. She was an angel on earth and will continue to be in heaven. We will be forever grateful to her caring of Katie Nues, our granddaughter. Tom & Belinda George

One of the few positive things about Rett is all the amazing people that have come into our lives because of it and Dr. Mary is definitely one of those people! I'm still so incredibly sad that she's is gone. I was shocked when we got the news and it still doesn't seem real. She was one of a kind. Her dedication to our families and our children was beyond measure. She was kind, sweet, funny and there to help however and wherever possible. She touched the lives and hearts of so many of us and has left an indelible mark on us all. We will love and miss you always Dr. Mary!

I was a volunteer at Katie's Clinic for a number of years, and while all who worked there were the embodiment of compassion and caring, Mary Jones always stood out for me.  The moment she appeared she radiated warmth, down to earth personableness (is that a word??? It is for her!) and a gentleness that impressed me.  I felt calmed and reassured by her and have no doubt the families she served felt the same.  Oh she will be missed!

When I learned of Dr. Mary’s passing, I felt such a sinking heart and a cold chill. Selfishly thinking, how can I/we go on without her friendship, influence, sharp mind, incredible memory of all people with Rett Syndrome and other disabilities, her warm hugs and soft, calm voice?
Once past the initial shock, the rippling effect of her loss seems to be infinite! Flashes of the heartbreak of her husband, her children, her precious grandchildren, her colleagues near and far, patients, friends….seemingly endless sorrow.
Her diligent work with the Natural History Study, RSO’s Communication Guidelines, so many published papers/studies, her sessions at NWRSA Conferences, her involvement in Clinical Trials, her association with Katie’s Clinic, way too many for me to mention, her endless devotion, all the while continuing in her personal family life.
I have shared a picture of Dr. Mary at the NWRSA Conference, Hood River, OR in 2019. Her compassion and love was shining thru when she volunteered to share her food with ‘her’ Becky Sue.
She wouldn’t want me or anyone else to wallow. She would want us to carry on her work, her research, her love, her compassion and her smile. She always actively listened, and in her honor, I will do my best to do the same.
Love you to the moon and back, Dr. Mary!

Sharon, Randy, Becky Sue and Melissa

"Beautiful Baby!"

Dr. Mary made me feel like I had the most beautiful baby in the world. I know she made each of us feel that way. 
Funny as we were talking about her, my son Conor said (now a grown man), "She made me feel that way too."  Of course you want a good technician but that bedside manner is not overrated.

We were laughing about the advice she gave when Conor was around 9. She said, "Now Conor. I want your parents to teach you all bad words. I don't want you to use them but I want you to know what they are. I don't want you to be the last to know." 
So over dinner that night, the Bad Word of the day began. We started with synonyms for penis. Ha. Dr. Mary can still make us laugh. We appreciated knowing her and being loved by her.

-Tatiá, David, and Conor MacKinnon
Feb 5, 2021

Mary's shoes were so big that no one will be able to fill them and why would we --- there is no replacing such an extraordinary person! When I sat down to include a tribute, the first thing that came to mind was how Mary embraced my family on a trip we made to the Bay area many years ago, serving as our tour guide, sharing with us her favorite spots and selflessly extending herself to take us to the Zephyr train we needed to board to travel back east-- that short time with Mary left a lasting impression on my family--my now grown boys still remember everything we did with Mary on that one day in their lives!  That was Mary, despite how busy she was, she would always clear a spot to do for others--and make you feel like you were all that mattered.

I am so grateful for all of the years I've known and worked with Mary to improve the lives of those affected by Rett syndrome. I will always remember her soft spoken, calm, compassionate manner, which helped to make even the most challenging endeavors seem possible and to instill hope in so many people's lives. We were both so excited about undertaking a research project stretching between the two coasts and I know she will be our guiding light as we continue to carry on that project. I learned so much from both her thoughtfulness and the passion & energy she had for her work, family and friends. She was a true advocate for her patients --fully invested and incredibly warm-hearted! I will miss Mary forever and can only hope that some of her character has worn off on all who knew her to help make a better world for all of us.

Mary had great love for her family, her friends, her co-workers, her patients - for everyone! She knew we were all in this life together and she was there for us. I shall so miss her and her unique and special ways of expressing kindness, humor, and joy in life. ❤️❤️ Nancy Siu

In addition to her amazing passion and true love for caring for "her" patients, Dr. Mary was also an inspiration to younger physicians entering the field. She took the time to answer many questions and send encouragement along the way. Meeting her in person and having the opportunity to watch her work was one of the true privileges of my career. I can only hope to honor her legacy by continuing our work with the heart that she inspired.

I was so saddened to learn of Dr. Mary's passing. She was a true inspiration to me. It was such an honor and privilege to watch her caring for her patients at Katie's clinic. I loved the opportunities that I had to visit with her at conferences. She was a role model to all physicians and the epitome of kindness. She will be greatly missed. 

We were shocked and saddened to have just heard about Dr. Mary through the NWRSA. She has been a caring and compassionate "fixture" in the Rett syndrome world for many years.

In particular, we remember very well the time we spent with her in Portland after our daughter's death and how personally and compassionately she reacted.  We appreciated her sensitive and loving interest in Elinor's life and contributions to Rett syndrome. Although we did not know her through Katie's Clinic, we heard of her precious contributions from many who did.

Dr. Jones will be remembered by so many. Her legacy will live on.

Gene and Mary Valeriote

Dr. Mary was my pediatrician at EB Pediatrics when I was a child. She was also my son's pediatrician. Dr. Mary was kind, thoughtful, caring, and -- as best I could tell -- amazing at her job. I have a few short stories.

My dear friend and college roommate was sick with cancer 25 years ago. I was scared for him and felt powerless. I called Dr. Mary. She hadn't been my doctor for years, but she called right back that night. She talked to me for an hour. The news wasn't good and, as she suggested was likely, my friend passed away a few months later. But I always remember that call and her caring conversation that helped me come to terms with what was happening.

Flash forward a couple decades and I'm at the hospital with my wife hours after the birth of my son. I'd registered with EB Pediatrics when we'd entered the hospital. Well, guess who showed up in our hospital room to meet my boy? You guessed it: Dr. Mary. I was as excited and terrified and sleep deprived as any new parent. Dr. Mary was like a warm blanket and hot cup of tea. Also, she remembered me right away. Oh yes, there were hugs. Many hugs.

When my son got very sick early in his life, Dr. Mary was my lifeline. My wife and I were scared and sleep deprived again. No one could figure out what was exactly was wrong. Still, she kept us sane and calm. Dr. Mary said there was only one really scary thing it could be and sent us for testing to get it figured out. The news was good. While he wouldn't get better for a few more weeks, Dr. Mary said it would be fine. And it was. We must have talked to her a couple dozen times.

Last story! My first son was a handful as an infant. We went to see her at 6 months and she interacted with him. She then explained to us his personality in detail and how it would evolve as he grew. She explain just how we was going to be amazing and also how it was going to be difficult. And she was 100% right again. She figured out my little boy long before I did. She knew exactly what was going on in his head and she gave us 5 minutes of the best advice I've ever received in my life. 

So that was Dr. Mary. She was a great doctor and an amazing person. She guided me to adulthood, she guided me in parenthood, and she took amazing care of my child.

So RIP, Dr. Mary. Thank you.

May I do half as much good in the world as you did.

Cisco DeVries

I miss Mary so much. I have been missing her at the practice (East Bay Pediatrics) for several years since she moved on to work at the Rett clinic full time but now it is so final. Mary was always the one that I would call at night when I couldn't sleep, worried that I had made a mistake or that my patient wouldn't do well. Her voice alone would feel like a hug across the phone lines. She can make you feel like you are so special and she can reassure you that you are doing things right. Although I need this less now, it is hard to think about no longer having that number to call with Mary on the other end. This same feeling of loss, I know, is felt by so many.

I think that we can all honor her memory by continuing to work our hardest to care for each other and go the extra mile, just as she did for all of us. In particular, her work with Rett Syndrome must go on. The advances in both basic research and in the ways she improved day to day living for these girls is a legacy that she will always be remembered for. To have such passion made her life truly fulfilling and we can all learn from that.

Sending hugs and lots of love - as much as I can to fill that hole in your hearts, Clay, Trevor, Seth, and Jenny. --Christina Vo

Mary was a true force of nature. I remember the first day I met her in clinic.... her warmth, passion, and empathy were beyond anything I had experienced as a trainee. In that moment, it was so obvious why the world loved her -- all heart (HUGE heart) backed up with this incredible wisdom and a big old brain :-)

My heart broke when I heard the news of her passing. I moved away years ago, but I still hold my time at Katie's Clinic as some of the dearest. I remain so grateful for the time I did have with Dr. Mary and her team. There is no replacing her in this world, but we can always carry forward the love and compassion Dr. Mary brought with her in every interaction. I know, for me, that I am a considerably better person and clinician. Miss you, Dr. Mary... and love ya. xoxoxo Shawna