Only weeks before she was diagnosed with the cancer that would so quickly take her life, Jill protested to me that we have lost two years of our life due to COVID and we needed to get on with things. That typified Jill’s attitude; get on with it, always energetic and positive.
Jill was a member of Portsea Golf Club for 20 years, and Women’s Captain from 2018 – 2019, a role she relished, and used as an opportunity to get to know the women golfers better as she transitioned from full time work to retirement. Jill had success on the course as well, winning the McDonald Trophy in 2008, B Grade Women’s Championship in 2011, Holes in One on the 2nd and 7th and with Carol Bartlett won the 2018 Summer Knock Out.
As Assistant Principal Jill worked with children with special needs and had a rare blend of compassion with a no-nonsense approach to achieving their important goals.
Her special PGC golfing buddies Carol Bartlett, Robyn Parker and Wendy Swift were also close family friends of many years, and with their husbands enjoyed many trips, social events and golf together. Jill had a quick wit and wonderful sense of humour, with a wicked laugh. Jill loved her family – adored grandson Ollie, husband David, sons Brett and Tim and daughter in law Emma.
As a Melbourne supporter, she was thrilled to see the Dees finally win a flag albeit in Perth where young Ollie’s photo made the front page of the WA newspapers holding the premiership cup; a moment she got to cherish.
David Simpson “Simmo” is also a treasured member of PGC and our local community and we all extend our heartfelt sympathy to him on the loss of his beloved wife Jillean and offer our support and kindness to him at this sad time.
I’m sure Jill would be saying don’t be a “wuss”, don’t be sad! But we get the last word Jill, and we are sad and we will make a fuss, we love you and will miss you. Vale
Maree Smith
Immediate Past President PGC and honoured to be her friend