Becky Jones

Rebecca Jean Jones (née Sweeney), 72, of Winterset, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023, full of the love of her daughter, Gretchen Heffernan (née Jones) at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines, Iowa.

Becky was the daughter of Hal and Shirley Sweeney, born on September 8, 1951, in Des Moines, and raised in Truro, where she later lived and raised her daughter. She graduated from I-35 High School in 1969, attended Culver-Stockton and Drake University before moving to Arizona where she resided for a time. During the last decade of her life she lived in Winterset, where she previously was a member of the Madison County Historical Society for twelve years and loved her small community.

Her greatest joys were visiting and traveling with her family, and they had many wonderful trips together around America and Europe, playing card games, telling stories, and making cookies. She loved history and was always relating interesting facts to her grandchildren about the places they visited. She loved eating out with friends during her regular dinner club, kept all the playbills of the many musicals she’d seen, was an avid reader, adored art, music, collecting antiques, and gardening.

But mostly, she was known for her compassion and sense of humor. She genuinely went above and beyond to bring joy to others or provide comfort in times of need, and her kindness has had a profound impact on numerous lives. She is truly loved and will be greatly missed.

Becky is survived by her daughter, Gretchen, grandchildren, Eddy and Ayla, son-in-law, Mike Heffernan, her large extended family, including her brother, Brad Sweeney of Truro, and sister, Julie Routh of Mt. Ayr, and her many friends. She extends her love and fond memories to you all.

Please join us for a memorial service at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at Zion Church at the Madison County Historical Complex (815 S 2nd Ave, in Winterset) followed by tea and coffee from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., in the museum lounge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to UnityPoint Hospice at Taylor House or the Madison County Historical Society (www.historyonthehill.org).