Our cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend passed away Friday morning, Aug. 15, 2008, at the age of 96.

Elsie Frances (Gorsich) Jones was born May 1, 1912, to Anton and Frances Gorsich of East Helena. Her five siblings, Tony, John, Albert, Amy (Chambers) and Frank all preceded her in death.

At the age of 9, Elsie began working at a boarding house in East Helena near the grade school she attended, helping with the laundry and with meals. The $15 a month she earned went to help support her family. Her father, Anton, had died during the flu epidemic in 1918. When Elsie was 14, she moved to Helena and started working for families on the west side of town.

Elsie married Jesse "Casey" Jones in 1934, and they had a son, Bill, who joined his brother, Dick. The couple later divorced. Bill and his wife, Ruth, reside in Kent, Wash.; Dick, now deceased, lived in Baton Rouge, La., with his wife, Mary Ann.

For many years, Elsie was active in the Eagles, participating in the women's auxiliary and the drill team. Many of the social and fundraising events had Elsie contributing her culinary skills in the kitchen.

In 1948, a friend of Elsie's introduced her to Gov. John Bonner, and she was hired to cook at the Governor's Mansion. This began Elsie's 44-year career as cook and household manager at the Governor's Mansion. She was employed by eight governors: John Bonner, J. Hugo Aronson, Donald Nutter, Tim Babcock, Forrest Anderson, Thomas Judge, Ted Schwinden and Stan Stephens. Elsie became very close to the families of various governors and many stayed in touch with her throughout the remainder of her life. Her life was enriched by the love and friendship of these folks who had become close friends.

In 1995, her life story, "Elsie, Forty Four Years at the Mansion with Eight Montana Governors" by Kay Hardin-Hansen, went on sale. Many of Elsie's favorite tried-and-true recipes were included in the book. Her love of cooking and sharing delicious food with others continued throughout her life. Elsie was happiest when doing things for family members and friends.

When Elsie retired, Dec. 17, 1992, was proclaimed Elsie Jones Day by then-Gov. Stan Stephens. She returned to her hometown of East Helena to live for 14 years before moving into the Waterford on Saddle Drive.

Elsie had six grandchildren, Donald, David, Raymond and Judy Jones (Harum), and David and Karen Gorsich (Benton), and 10 great-grandchildren, Chisa (Talo), Taylor (McClendon), Kedor Harum, Ashley, Raquel, Travis and Zachary Jones and Heather, Forrest and Keith Benton. There are also five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews who were very dear to her and remained close to her throughout her life.

Memories of Elsie will live on in the hearts and souls of many family members and friends.

Viewing hours will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at Retz Funeral Home. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Retz Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena, with burial to follow at St. Ann's Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Elsie's name are suggested to the Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1110, East Helena, MT 59635, or to Hospice of St. Peter's, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. To offer condolences to Elsie's family or to share a memory of Elsie, please visit www.mem.com.