Nellie Kedzie Jones

Nellie Kedzie Jones

My dad occasionally used to sing 

five notes with the words “Nellie Kedzie 

Jones” I never asked about it but in recent 

years I’ve remembered those notes and 

wondered what was the name, and why. 

Just now I’ve found a condolence letter to 

Grandma on the death of Grandpa from –

guess who – Nellie Kedzie Jones! The name 

Dad sang to those five little notes! I’ve Googled 

and wow, what a history! She ends up at UWIS as 

Emeritus Prof of Home Ec, where Grandma would have 

known her. She’d fill a whole Illinois Times with music.  

Nellie Kedzie Jones! Nellie Kedzie Jones! Let’s all sing. 

2024 Jacqueline Jackson

This article appears in Growing old gay.