October 24, 1986 - January 2, 2020
Jillian passed away quietly with her family by her side. She had a long struggle with her health from the time she was 12 years old, although if you met her, you would never have known it. Jill's brothers' lives were forever changed when she arrived. Her spirit and care-free attitude burned bright in the home and throughout her life. In her final months she showed her family and friends how to face adversity with bravery and levity. Her Mom, Dad and brothers were so lucky to have had her for the time they did, although they wanted more. In 2010, all three brothers offered to donate a part of their liver to her, and Aaron who was closest in age, and in life, gave Jill the gift of 10 more years through a risky live donation.
Her friends were many, but her close friends remained the same; Keith, Lauren, Rheanna, Vanessa, Wendy, Jen and Rakale. She made many friends in the transplant community at Vancouver General who shared a bond through their experiences. Her friend Matt spent so many hours with her when she was awaiting her second transplant, and also after, reporting back to her Mom how she was when she could not be with Jill.
Jill worked for a time as an esthetician, and also as a care-aid for a wonderful elderly gentleman named Mel. Caring for him was a joyful time for her, and she was so disappointed when her health got so bad that she had to stop.
When Jill was home and she felt well enough, she loved doing woodwork and made several tables and blanket ladders.
Jill's loves were many, but first came family. Her mother (and best friend) Hilda, her Dad (and target of many laughs) Bernie, Brothers Tyson (Lisa), Elliot (Jen), and Aaron (Marlo). Nieces and nephews that she was crazy about, Carter, Cole, Maisie, Grady, Isla, Emily, Hunter, and Lucia. She loved animals from a very young age, and leaves behind her dog Oscar and her cat Miss Kitty.
The family is forever grateful to the doctors at VGH, Dr Yoshida, Dr Scudamore, Dr Erb, Dr Chung, and the whole transplant team. Jo-ann Harrigan, a nurse at the transplant clinic who was so supportive, and who Jill looked forward to seeing on regular clinic days, and Polly Cooper, her very supportive transplant social worker.