Jillian was a straight from God gift to our family life and to the lives of many people. She was born Thursday, July 10, 1986 and to our unthinkable sorrow, left us unexpectedly to return to her Creator.

Jill was 29 years old and resided at Windy Poplars and in the Town of The Pas for her lifetime. Jill was the youngest of seven siblings and was cherished by each. She was a worthy recipient of devoted love from her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Her uncle Ted (Jill would call him “Teddle”) was especially unabashed in his love and generosity to our girl and she loved him back.

Jill was a beautiful swimmer and participated in the Roadrunners Swim Club. She was also a certified instructor and enjoyed her experience as a scuba diver. Whenever challenged to go the competitive route, Jill preferred to decline, saying she loved to swim “just for the sheer feel of the water.”

After graduating from MBCI, Jillian was unsure about what she wanted to do for a career. Eventually she chose nursing and had employment at St. Paul’s Personal Care Home, then on the Medical Ward of our hospital and then with some trepidation, into Emergency. Over the years, she received affirmations of her professional excellence but she never really saw herself that way. We knew Jill was consistently affected by patient outcomes and tended to feel she didn’t know enough and needed to study more. When told she did well, she privately shared she didn’t feel that way on the inside.

Jillian was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, aunt and friend. She shared her time as evenly as possible between her professional, personal commitments and family life. She was lovingly present in all the ups and downs that naturally occur in a rather large family.

During her second year of study for nursing, Jill’s brother Jeff suffered significant kidney failure. All siblings stepped up to the plate for kidney donation. The best possible match ended up to be Jill, who gladly ensured renewed health for her bro.

Jill loved the lifestyle that her family home, Windy Poplars, provided. She was a perfect wildflower, enjoying the play that nature offered; its scenic and relative isolation, the pets, birds and wildlife. She did walks, jogs, fishing, boat rides, moose camp visits, creek paddling, skating and the cable ride. She entertained her friends and made future plans.

Jill was a goal setter and enjoyed checking off her list as the year progressed. Goals included things from saving money for an Infiniti car, being on time, exercising, getting braces, cooking, family and friends time, to being thankful (with a drawing of our Lord’s cross beside it).

We think that Jill, in her generosity of heart, would be sad for contributing to all our brokenness. To you, dear Jillian, we say that we will do the impossible and carry on, knowing your kind and loving spirit will be with us in its new capacity for prayer and inspiration as you rest in the arms of Jesus.

Left to cherish Jill’s memory include her parents Gary and Kathy; siblings Jeff, Jackie, Doug, Chris, Ginger and Dan; grandma June; uncle Ted; nieces Reese, Ally, Brea, Harmony; nephews Jake, Roman; cousins Riki, Houston and loving others; beloved aunts; uncles; and all of Jill’s dear friends.

Thank you to everyone for your condolences and support in helping us to endure this pain through our Jill’s passing.

In keeping with family wishes, cremation took place and a Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, December 22, 2015, 2:00 pm, at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, The Pas, Manitoba, with Rev. Paul Bringleson presiding. Music Ministry was provided by Jana Dutkiewicz. Altar servers were Ally and Jake. Scripture readings were proclaimed by Renèe Parsons and Miki Martin. Memories of the heart were shared by family members.

Immediately following the service, a reception was held for family and friends, at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall.

In honor of Jill’s life, please consider financial contributions to either of the following: The Pas Roadrunners Swim Club, Box 4021, The Pas, MB, R9A 1S2; The Kidney Foundation of Canada—Manitoba Branch, Box 20077, Brandon, MB, R7A 6Y8; The Pas Health Complex Foundation, Inc., Equipment Fund, Box 541, The Pas, MB, R9A 1K4.