Gale Jones Balavender

Gale Jones Balavender of Salem died peacefully at Backus Hospital on Sunday, May 31. She was born in Hartford to the late Beverly Jones France and David Lee Jones. Gale graduated from Farmington High School in 1971.

Gale loved the beauty of nature and enjoyed being surrounded by flowers as well as the water. As a child, she spent summers enjoying swimming and other water activities, including several summers on Block Island with her parents and siblings. Running was a passion she enjoyed along with her husband Joe; they ran multiple local races, as well as those across several New England states. Gale also enjoyed time spent at the family cottage (and swimming) on Gardner Lake in Salem, as well as visiting with family and friends over the years to celebrate multiple occasions.

Gale worked along with her husband, Joe, supporting their family-owned business, Salecon, LLC, in Salem. Earlier, Gale served on several town commissions in Salem and was a public service candidate as a CT State Representative, as well as the State Senate. She had a strong faith and was a member of the Colchester Bible Baptist Church, where she enjoyed Sunday services as well as weekly bible studies.

Gale is survived and will be missed by her beloved husband, Joe Balavender of Salem; siblings, Heather Rackliffe and her husband Gary, Holly Fisher, Matthew Jones and his wife Donna, Mark Jones, and Casey Jones, along with her uncle Guy Gunther and his wife Diane, sister-in-law Donna Larson, and brother-in-law Brien Balavender and his wife Florina, close friend Merja Lehtinen; nieces and nephews Michael Rackliffe, Christopher Rackliffe, Jonathan Fisher, Zachary Fisher, Aubrey (Fisher) Reese, Matthew Jones, Glenn Jones, Michael Larson, and Kathleen Larson-Halevah, as well as many great nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of other family members and dear friends.

Gale is predeceased by her parents, Beverly Jones France and David Lee Jones, her in-laws, Helen (Chymbor) and John Balavender, and brother-in-law, Richard Larson.

A Celebration of her life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gale’s memory to a charity of your choice.

Published in: Hartford Courant on June 7, 2026