Laura M Jones, age 72, of 908 E Main Street, Hegins, passed away Friday, July 9, 2010 at her home. She was born on Friday, July 8, 1938, in Ambato, Ecuador, a daughter of the late Eduardo Ponce and America Ponce-Sevilla. She graduated from high school in Ecuador and then attended Golden West College, Huntington Beach, CA. She resided in Southern California for thirty-five years pior to moving to Pennsylvania in 1999. While in California, Laura formed a charity group of expatriate Latin American women, Damas Protectoras de la Ninez, to support an orphanage in her hometown of Ambato, Ecuador. She was recognized by Pope John Paul II and the Mayor of Los Angeles for her work in the group. She was a nutrition education advisor for Penn State Schuylkill Campus; where she traveled throughout Schuylkill County and spoke to various groups about proper nutrition. She was of the Catholic Faith. She enjoyed art and water color painting. She is survived by her husband John C Jones, to whom she was married for 45 years. She is also survived by two daughters Sandra Fidler and her husband James of Hamburg and Tammy Jones and her companion Gayle Masters of Valley View; a grandson James CJ Jones of Valley View; two sisters Maria Del Carmen Jaramillo of Ecuador and Piedad Franklin of Vicksburg, Miss.; and a brother Francisco Ponce-Sevilla of Ecuador. Memorial Mass was held on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Most Blessed Trinity Parish, Tremont, with Rev. Eric Arnout officiating. Visitation was held from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at the parish. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Damas Protectoras de la Ninez, c/o John Jones, 908 E Main St, Hegins PA 17938. Buffington-Reed Funeral Home, Valley View, was in charge of arrangements. Condolences can be left for the family at www.buffingtonreed.com .