Children’s book author Rebecca C. Jones, of Annapolis, MD, passed away on August 28, 2026. Her death was the result of a severe stroke she suffered in late July.

Rebecca C. Jones was born on Sept. 10, 1947, in Evergreen Park, IL, to Ruth and Lawrence Castaldi. They lived in the Chicago suburbs until 1954, when the family moved to Warsaw, IN. Rebecca earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. While there, she fell for a young physics student named Christopher Jones. Eventually they married and moved from Mississippi to Ohio to Maryland. They have lived in Annapolis for the past 49 years.

Along the way, Rebecca had several interesting jobs: newspaper reporter, TV news reporter, journalism instructor, magazine editor, textbook writer, and author of 18 books for children and young adults. She won the Excellence in Teaching Award from the University of Maryland University College; the Outstanding Faculty Award from the National Universities Continuing Education Association; many national awards for her articles in The American School Board Journal; and the Annie Award for her contribution to the literary arts in Anne Arundel County. Some of her books were translated into foreign languages. Probably the best known is Matthew and Tilly, still in print after 35 years and described by the New York Times as a “lovely story of the ordinariness of life.”

In addition to Christopher, she is survived by daughter Amanda Jones of Columbia, MD, son David Jones of Marysville, OH, brother David Castaldi of Boston, MA, sisters Diana Scheeler of West Chester, Ohio, and Loretta Castaldi of Washington, DC; five grandchildren, one great granddaughter, and 12 nieces and nephews and their children.

Published by The Capital Gazette from Sep. 5 to Sep. 6, 2026.

https://www.legacy.com/person/rebecca-castaldi-jones-62216126