Audrey Jones Obituary

Audrey Jones, my beloved aunt, passed away at 84 years of age. She was a remarkable educator and an avid supporter of women’s rights. She was an amiable, bright, and hospitable person who strove for equal opportunities for all.

Audrey was born in Hertfordshire to John Reed, a police officer, and Evelyn Tofield, a storekeeper. She earned a place at Chelmsford County High School for Girls and later enrolled at Southampton University, where she met her husband, Hugh G Jones, at a student farm camp. They tied the knot in 1951 and eventually settled in Hugh’s birthplace in Wales with their son Robert.

She trained as a teacher and worked tirelessly for three decades at St Cyres Comprehensive in Dinas Powys, where she displayed a relentless commitment to educating girls about science and mathematics while cultivating a love for art and music. One of her pupils, Paralympic athlete Tanni Grey-Thompson, referred to her as "an extraordinary teacher and an enormous influence on my life" during the 1980s.

From her student years, Audrey was politically active, but after her retirement in 1990, she dedicated her time and energy to advocating for women’s rights with numerous organizations, including the Fawcett Society and the Women’s National Committee. She co-founded the Women’s Archive of Wales and the Wales Assembly of Women, and she represented women’s rights at the UN commission on the status of women. Fellow activists remember her as a wise, practical, and unassuming person who brought bottles of excellent red wine to help with the meetings.

Audrey was a passionate advocate of modern art and music. She supported Welsh artists by collaborating with the Women’s Arts Association and other local groups. Her attitude toward both art and life was entirely open-minded and accepting. When she and Hugh were in their eighties and struggling with physical weakness, she was overjoyed when they were waved into a sold-out Banksy exhibition without queues around the block.

Audrey was well-known for hosting legendary dinner parties, where she served three Welsh puddings and cheese, and Hugh did the washing up. Audrey’s fondness for life, independent spirit, and determination to improve the lives of others served as a source of motivation and hope for her colleagues, pupils, relatives, and friends.

She is survived by Robert; Hugh passed away in 2011.