Jill passed away peacefully on April 19, 2021 at the age of 78. She leaves behind her loving husband Barry, whom she was married to for 55 years, her son Kevin (Cynthia), daughter Tisha, granddaughters Hannah, Kailee, Phoebe, Madeline and Caitlin, and her brother Terry Boorman (Claudia). Jill had an early passion for art and she evolved into an accomplished and well-known Canadian nature artist. Her paintings expressed realism and exhibited the colours and abundance of Vancouver Island as well as the places she travelled to. Jill completed many private commissions, was an “artist in residence” on the SS Universe to Alaska and taught painting throughout Greater Victoria, including at her home studios. She was a long-time member of several art clubs and associations, including the Federation of Canadian Artists, Saanich Peninsula Arts & Crafts, the Victoria Sketch Club and was an enthusiastic member of the Victoria Plein Air painter’s group, called the Al Frescoes of Victoria.
Her favourite place was always at home in her garden and in her studio and she hosted many paint-ins in her garden with other notable artists. Jill was extremely creative in all areas of her life, was a vivid storyteller and maintained her love of art and the experience and tranquility that this brought into her life. She and her husband enjoyed travelling, Jill loved to see new places, to put her feet in the sand and to swim in warm ocean waters. In later years, they ventured up and down the island in their RV and spent summers with friends at Westwood Lake. Jill was the much-loved matriarch of the Slagboom family. Birthdays and special occasions always required special attention and an excuse to have family and friends over. These gatherings were central to her life and happiness, as were the many dear friendships she gained over the years. Jill’s presence, warmth, and compassion will be missed by many whose lives she has touched and by the legacy of her paintings.
A Memorial Service was held in person for the immediate family at McCall Gardens on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 1pm. A recording of the service can be found below.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
29 Responses
I will miss that great lady.
School mates at Oak Bay schools.
Blessings to you all.
Dear Barry and family,
We were very sorry to hear of Jill’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. We mainly knew Jill as a talented artist and have a number of her paintings in our home. She was a dear friend to our sister, Lynda, and through her we were privileged to hear a story or two of their adventures together. Lots of laughs and memories. She will be a great loss to all.
Dear Barry and Family:
I just wanted to express Tom’s and my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Jill was such a wonderful, creative and imaginative person and we know you will miss her dearly. You are in our hearts and our thoughts at this time.
Blessings to you all.
Kelly
Barry, we are very sorry to hear about Jill’s passing. All of us will miss her creativity. Our sincere condolences.
Dennis and Margaret Dale
Lieve BARRY & FAMILY,
Wij herinneren Jill zoals zij was als een lieve en zorgzame vrouw, die bij ons gelogeerd heeft toen zij met BARRY 2 weekjes bij ons was. Zij wilde in die paar weekjes zoveel mogelijk van NEDERLAND zien!! Zoals bijvoorbeeld HET KRULLER MULLER MUSEUM met schilderijen van de nederlandse schilder VINCENT VAN GOGH. Ze stond zo dichtbij te kijken naar een schilderij dat haast het alarm afging. Had zere voeten van het vele lopen.
BARRY VEEL STERKTE NU EN DE KOMENDE TIJD
Lieve groetjes van ons:
BERT & ADRIE
Dear Barry. We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Jill was such a vibrant and brilliant person, and artist. We are lucky to have one of her beautiful paintings. Good and kind neighbors to us on Brousson Drive, we will remember your friendship over many years, and we wish you Barry, Tisha and Kevin our special blessings in this difficult time. Ron and I send our blessing to you all.
Alison and Ron Kobylnyk
Barry and family-
Our friendship with Jill goes back many years and her warm smile, deep interest in people and events, her wonderful talent as an artist and her pride and love of family will remain with us forever.
We always looked forward to our get-togethers, whether it was at their home, at a pub, a high school gathering or out exploring landscapes that inspired Jill’s art. We’ll always treasure our painting of Cattle Point.
We send our deepest sympathy to Barry, to Kevin and Tisha, the grandchildren and all the family in their huge loss. We’ll never forget her.
Much love and hugs, Barry and Mary
Dear Barry and Family – I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and family.
Feel free to give me a call just for for a chat.
My thoughts are with you,
regards, Mike (Saanich Lions)
Dear Barry and Family,
I send my sincerest condolences to you and your family at this sad time.
My memories of Jill return to school days and laterally our lives crossed at high school reunion lunches.
I trust happy memories will eventually help to sustain you in the time ahead.
Susan Ross