Stephenie Jones

Stephenie Jones, 58, died peacefully at home in Columbia Falls on Aug. 26.

She was born in Wyoming, raised in Minnesota, then lived in Mississippi and Florida before moving to Montana, where she has been for over 30 years.

She was married to the late Jim Raleigh, a former elite yacht captain with whom she worked as a first mate and catered many a social gathering onboard.

She first owned a business in downtown Whitefish, worked at local radio station B98 as “AJ in the Morning,” and then at North Valley Hospital before eventually starting a business in accounting called Administrative Services.  

She was exceptionally accomplished at remodeling and always had a project going. She was also an excellent seamstress, constantly delighting her nieces with exquisite dresses.

Never fond of traffic, Stephenie enjoyed taking backroads and discovering new havens. She was extremely fond of the slower pace, even if it meant taking her twice as long to get to her destination. But lest we forget, life is all about the journey.

She was very much loved and will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Jones. She is survived by her mother, Gloriann, and sister, Teresa Jones, both of Wisconsin; a sister, Jeanna Basch of California; and a brother, Douglas Jones of Mississippi. She had four nephews and two nieces.

She also leaves behind her beloved dogs, Destiny, Sadie and Ellie who were her greatest joys. No services are to be held.