August 28, 1946 – November 26, 2010
It is with deep sadness that we announce Jill’s passing. With her family by her side, Jill slipped away peacefully at home after a courageous and stoic 18 month battle with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Jill leaves behind to mourn her loving husband of 41 years, David, her daughters Sara (Shane) and Val, her beloved grandchildren Ava and Zachary, her dear “granddog” Watson, brother Hugh (Barbara), sisters in law Heather (David), and Heidi (Peter), brothers in law Kevin (Jayne), Trent, and Blair, nieces Meghan (Shane), Erin (Ben), Lindsay, and Alex, nephews Jason, Blaine, James (Jorunn), Charles (Monika) and AJ, great-nieces Megan and Alyssa, and many close friends. Born in Toronto, Ontario, Jill and Dave came to Victoria in 1974 where they built a life and raised their family together. After many years spent raising her children, Jill returned to university and obtained her Teaching Certificate. She spent most of her teaching career at St. Margaret’s School teaching math, where she took great pride in the successes of each and every one of her “girls”. Jill retired in early 2008, and shortly afterwards she and Dave embarked on the trip of a lifetime to Alaska, on board their trawler Kailo. Since the birth of her grandchildren, Jill’s greatest joy was time spent with her family, especially with Ava and Zachary.
The family would like to thank Lauren and Sally from Beacon Home Support, who were there during Jill’s final hours, the nurses in RP1 for taking such good care of Jill during her 4 week stay at the Jubilee, Dr. Dereck Smith, the family’s physician for his support and guidance, Dr. Bester, Dr. Souliere, and Dr. Truong and all the nurses at the BC Cancer Clinic for the wonderful care that she received during her treatments.
At Jill’s request, there will be no service. A celebration of Jill’s life will be held in the new year. Please contact the family for information. In lieu of flowers, the family’s wishes are to have donations made to the Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, or to the BC Cancer Foundation in Jill’s memory.
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Emily Pettet
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Serena Visser Please accept my sincere condolences. Ms. Krauel taught me math (not my best subject!) in junior high school, and I always appreciated her kind support.
My heart goes out to her family and friends.
Serena (Dennis) Visser
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Wanda Boyer Jill was one of the teachers who inspired me to pursue studies in Mathematics at University. I deeply regret that I never thanked her for her guidance and support throughout high school. Rest in peace, Mrs. Krauel.
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Selby Pellow I had Mrs. Krauel as a teacher for grade 9 math, and I have to say she is one of the best math teachers I ever had. I was thinking about her a few weeks back, as I embark on University math, and thought about how well she taught all her students, and cared for them. Her thoughtfulness, kindness, and ability to teach others is something not every teacher has, but she had it. Mrs. Krauel, you will be missed.
Condolences to her family,
Selby Pellow
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Janet Mackenzie To Mrs. Krauel’s family, friends, and loved ones:
I am deeply saddened to hear of this loss of such a wonderful role model. I was a student of Mrs. Krauel’s at St. Margaret’s, and was lucky enough to have had her each year over five years as my math teacher. I valued her fair, no-nonsense approach to teaching, and her nature – quiet and gentle, always respectful, yet tough-as-nails if she needed to be (you couldn’t push that lady around!) – certainly helped inspire me to become the person I am today. I was privileged to have had many wonderful teachers to inspire me while I was at SMS, and Mrs. Krauel holds a dear place in my heart. You should all be very proud that she touched so many lives in such a positive way.
With my deepest sympathy,
Janet Mackenzie
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April J.E. Gilliland I am very sorry to see that Ms. Krauel has passed. I was a student a St. Margaret’s School for girls when she was a teacher there. She was a fantastic and very patient math teacher and an all round wonderful human being. I do remember that look she gave over her glasses. St. Margaret’s strength is in having dedicated teachers like Ms. Krauel. I often think back fondly to math classes with her. I will miss her.
April J.E. Gilliland
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Harry Berbrayer Dear Dave and Family and close friends,
I was really saddened to learn recently of Jill’s passing. I had the opportunity, although only briefly, to work under the direction of Dave, in the library of Royal Roads University. I didn’t know Jill, but knew of her through a mutual friend who kept many people informed when Val had a long and difficult struggle with health problems. That same friend informed me and others that Jill was ill. Unfortunately, I didn’t remain in touch. Remarkably, I was in Victoria with my wife for one day, on Nov. 30, and at one point was in a coffee shop, where I happened to pick up a copy of the Victoria Times Colonist (which I never read!), and eventually looked at the obituaries, and saw the radiant photo of Jill.
I send you all my most positive thoughts.
Harry Berbrayer
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Patricia(Paddy) Thomas Simpson For Jill’s family:
What a ‘bummer’-(Miss MacNeill would not have approved of that word). There have been too many of us from Branksome class of 64. I last saw Jill in Halifax,NS just after we returned from Australia. We were invited to a Dalhousie friend’s house and in walked Jill and husband with baby in tow and I looked at her and said”I know you!”
My thoughts and prayers are with all.Peace and God Bless.
Paddy (Thomas) Simpson
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Marguerite and Warren Wolfe Dave,
We were so shocked to hear about Jill when Marguerite met a former neighbour today during a visit to Victoria area. We can only offer our deepest condolences and hope that, after such a long and brave fight beside her, you, Sara and Val are at peace. We do cherish the times we shared with you and Jill and deeply regret that we were pulled apart when the College closed. The memories of the Gourmet Club evenings and the College Balls will never be lost.Dave, take care and I hope that we will be able to meet you again soon.
Warren and Marguerite
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Janet and John Brunelle Dear Val and family:
We were deeply saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. We know how you and your family have been so strong in your individual fights and your combined fights for your health. Your mom will certainly be missed by you. Reading all the wonderful condolences from her friends and even her students shows how much she was loved and respected.
Let us know if there is anything we can help you with to ease your pain.
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Kathy Frank (Kirsht) What a shock to see Jill’s obit. in the local newspaper yesterday!
61 is just too young to leave this world!. I always looked forward to the Christmas “update” – and last year she told about her diagnosis and treatment. It was so very evident through her ‘Updates” of the love she had for her family – daughters, grand-children, yes, and the grand-dog. And her love for you, Dave, shone through always. And to have seen Val fight off the brain tumour – it must have been so difficult for all of you to walk with Jill along her path of treatment. Her last sentence in the 2009 letter was “Grandchildren are a very good thing” – a wonderful statement of the love and pride she felt towards all of you. My deepest condolences to you, Dave, and all the family. Kathy
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Carmel Linka Jill was a treasured friend of long-standing, who brought light to the lives of those she touched. Her warmth, humour, loyalty and quiet wisdom I shall always remember.
How I enjoyed discussing her deep love for her family and of course, Watson. How I enjoyed bringing her small tomatoes grown by my late husband, and how she relished them. How we shared opinions on so many topics: books, movies, actors, TV.
I have shed many tears over the past few days. Our lunch group will miss you so much, but I think your gentle presence will grace us anyway at our get-togethers.
Goodbye, dear friend,
Carmel
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Jim Dolmage Dave and family
Marilyn and I were sorry to hear about Jill’s passing and understand what a loss it is for you and your family. Her very positive life story obviously remains with her children, grandchildren and former students.
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Sally Garcelon As a former colleague at St. Margaret’s I remember the first time I met Jill.It was at a “beginning of the year” party at our Head of School’s home. I was struck then by her calm, her quiet way of expressing how she came to teaching. And I thought to myself, “what a gift to the school” she would be. Having never been a particularly adept student at math, over the years we were both at the school, I thought “How I wish I had been privileged to have someone of Jill’s nature teach me.” We are indeed fortunate to have been touched by Jill’s spirit, this woman whose example of grace and bravery is a beacon to us all. And will, I am sure, be a great comfort to you, her belovéd family. My deepest sympathy, Sally Garcelon
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Ali Lee As a lifer of 13 years at St. Margaret’s School, I can honestly say that Mrs. Krauel was my favourite teacher. She was always a really hard marker but knew how to push us to be great. She challenged us and when we worked hard, rewarded us with her beautiful personality, her love of teaching and her joy for life. My heart goes out to Mrs. Krauel’s family and husband at this time. An 18 month battle that I am sure Mrs. Krauel fought courageously surrounded by so much love and support. She has taught me so much as a person and for that, I am truly grateful. She was an unforgettable teacher who always put her students first. I am so proud to say that I am a student of hers and that I had the opportunity to walk the halls with her at SMS. In 2008, when she retired, I knew that SMS would not be the same but her legacy as a teacher will live on through all the students that have filed through her mathematics classroom over the years. We carry a little bit of her with us and she will be in our hearts. Thank your Mrs. Krauel for not only being a great teacher but for being an inspiring person and role model for so many young girls growing up at SMS. We will miss you!!
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Vasuhi Balachandran-Collins Mrs. Krauel (Jill) was my Grade 12 math teacher at St. Margaret’s (1994-95). She was very patient and gracious with a student who could be trying. I have fond memories of her, my deepest sympathies to your family.
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Leslie Beck As a colleague and member of “The Lunch Bunch”, I am honoured to have shared Jill’s dedication and devotion to her teaching, family and friends. Her loss is greater knowing the depth of her love for her family and the joy she received from them. The satisfaction she felt from her professional life further endeared her to those of us fortunate to have known her. Her giving spirit and ready smile touched us all.
Dave, Val, Sara and family, my deepest condolences. May Jill’s strength of character and her knowledge that you reciprocated her never-ending depth of love, soften your grief.
In Sympathy,
Leslie Beck
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Tamara and Dean Cramer Dear Sara, Val, David and family,
We are very sorry about your loss and our condolences go out to you and all of your family. I have many memories of your mom, going back to our teenage years, and I know how much she will be missed. If there is anything we can do during this difficult time, please let us know.
Love Tamara and Dean
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Linda Dragert Dear Dave, Sara and Val,
Please accept our deepest condolences. Jill was an inspiration to all of us. We will miss terribly her at our sorority meetings and functions – she was a great sister and friend to all of us.
Sincerely,
Linda and Herb
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John James O'Brien It was with a sense of loss that I learned of Jill’s passing today. I met with her only a few times, but was struck with her intelligence, insight and deep sense of caring about the gift of learning, shared through her teaching. I have been grateful that my daughter had the opportunity to know and learn from her.
My deepest condolences to Jill’s family. If anything can soften the pain of loss, it is knowing that the spirit lives on through influencing lives yet lived. Jill’s impact reached far and deeper than may be imagined.
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John & Gayle Smallbridge David, Sara, Val and extended family,
Gayle and I were saddened to read of Jill’s death. We never met or knew her, but sincerely wish we had.
Our thoughts and prayers are offered as condolences
in hope that they may ease your grief at this time and attest to the love that does surround and support you, even from those at a distance of place and time.John & Gayle Smallbridge
I am very saddened to hear of Mrs. Krauel’s death. She taught me math for three years at SMS, and I always thoroughly looked forward to her class. She had a brilliant way of explaining any problem. We were never left confused, or unsure. She was so caring and loving to each and every one of us, and always had a way of making us laugh. She felt like more than a teacher, and I too wish I had told her just how amazing she was. My thoughts go out to her family and friends, who I’m sure will greatly miss such a rare jewel in teaching and in life. We are are fortunate to have had her in our lives.