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.
21 Responses
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
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.
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
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!!
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.
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
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
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
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.
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