MARIE JILBERTE (JILL) KILLEEN

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MARIE JILBERTE (JILL) KILLEEN On Thursday, April 4, 2002, Jill died peacefully at the St. Boniface General Hospital at the age of 91 years. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Eilleen Ryckebosch and Helen Bauch, both living in California; son-in-law Jim Ryckebosch, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Jill was born in Letellier, MB to Pulcherie and Hector Fortier. She grew up happily on the farm with her sisters, Addie (McLeod) and Jeanne (Comeault) and her brother Louis. She attended the convent school in St. Boniface and after graduation moved to Winnipeg to pursue a number of careers which included teaching tap dancing, operating a dry cleaning business and dressmaking. She studied stenography and worked at the Bank of Montreal until her marriage to F.J. Killeen on Boxing Day, 1935. While the family was growing up, Jill was a wonderful homemaker and provided a warm and safe environment for her husband and family. Always a music lover, she played the piano and organ and encouraged her daughters to pursue their musical studies. Never content with clothes bought "off the rack", she lovingly created wardrobes for her daughters, of hand-sewn school clothes and special dresses. Handy with a hammer and saw, Jill was never hesitant about adding a room in the basement or removing a wall here and there in the house. The family was frequently surprised to come home and find the whole house full of furnishings entirely rearranged. A petite but strong woman, she could move a piano across the room with patience and determination. She did her own home maintenance and gardening for over 40 years. In her younger years, Jill loved to go to Grand Beach in the summers, walk in the sand and kick up her heels at the dance hall in the evenings. In later life, she enjoyed trips to California to visit her family. During her last years, she enjoyed going out to dinner, shopping at Polo Park, watching her special soap operas, doing various crafts and spending time in her backyard and with her daughters, family and friends. Jill had a contented married life living with her husband Joe for 30 years, until his death in 1965. For many years after she enjoyed the splendid companionship of Axel Vopnfjord. She lived in her own home, managing well, until a few months ago when she moved to the Thorvaldson Care Center. In keeping with Jills wishes, no formal funeral service will be held. Our family would like to thank the staff at Thorvaldson Care Center and the staff at St. Boniface Hospital, 5B for their competent and compassionate care. A special thank you to our cherished friend Linda Wiebe who always stayed nearby and was a true "guardian angel" to Jill. "Well miss you Mom" WOJCIKS ALL BELIEFS & FAITHS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 27, 2002