Ward, Dorothy-Lee Jones formerly of Wellesley, Mass and Sebago, Maine, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee on August 4th, 2022, after a decline due to Alzheimer’s. She was 95.
Dorothy-Lee attended The Winsor School in Boston, graduated from Erskine Junior College and took courses at Boston University. While in college she started an antiques business, The Glass Basket, in Douglas Hill (Sebago), Maine. The Glass Basket attracted visitors from all over the world and helped her build a reputation as an expert in both antique glass and ceramics.
Dorothy-Lee’s life-long passion was glass and ceramics. After nearly 30 years running the successful antique shop in Douglas Hill, Maine, she founded The Jones Museum of Glass and Ceramics in 1978. Showcasing the history and beauty of both glass and ceramics across a unique museum collection, she acted as Founder-Curator and Director for over two decades.
She was also active in many collector organizations, including the Ceramics Study Club of Boston, the Wedgwood Society of Boston and the National American Glass Club. Recognizing her accomplishments in the world of glass, she was invited to become an Honorary Fellow of the Corning Museum of Glass, a prestigious group of international experts. She lectured at museums, clubs and symposiums all over the US, and published many articles in glass and ceramics publications.
Her enthusiasm and energy spilled over into other interests as well. She was an avid fan of ice skating, enjoyed traveling with her husband Lauriston and she was a trained mezzo soprano, performing in both New York and Boston as well as part of the choir at Park Street Church in Boston.
Dorothy-Lee’s life-long joy was in communicating her love, and knowledge, of glass and ceramics and she will be missed in the antiques community. She was predeceased by her husband, Lauriston Ward, Jr. and her parents Kathryn and Harry Lee Jones of Newton, Mass. She is survived by her daughter, Lyra Ward Hankins of Nashville, Tennessee.
A memorial service will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., Wellesley, MA on Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 1 pm and live streamed at www.harborview.live or Click to Watch. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment private.