Jill Mendenhall passed away late in the evening on November 1, after a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 82.
Born June 27, 1943, in Owosso, Michigan, Jill grew up surrounded by a tight circle of family and friends. She graduated from Owosso High School in 1961, earned her B.A. from Albion College in 1965, and attended the Post Graduate Study Program at Middlebury College that same year.
Jill married the love of her life, Bill, on June 19, 1966. Together they built a beautiful life and a true partnership—first, spending time in Illinois and Toronto for Bill’s career—ultimately putting down roots in Holland, Michigan in 1974.
Jill began her career as a teacher in schools throughout Michigan, pouring patience, curiosity, and confidence into her students. She later found a second professional calling in finance, serving as a financial advisor for Smith and Associates, Macatawa Bank, and Alliance Investment Management in Jenison. Jill had a knack not only for math—but for spotting a good investment.
Family was Jill’s North Star. She is survived by her husband, Bill; son, David (Jenny); daughter, Heather (Doug); and her four cherished grandchildren: Merrick, Simon, Nolan, and Harper. She is also survived by her brother, Bill Anderson (Suzie), sister-in-law, Susan Wiltse (Tom), many nieces and nephews—and of course her beloved Golden Retriever, Marley, who never left her side.
The “cottage” just outside Frankfort, Michigan was Jill’s happy place. Any chance she and Bill could go—whether an afternoon, a weekend, or an entire week—they were there. She loved pontoon rides, swimming across the lake, kayaking, and long walks on the beach with many dogs throughout the years. Jill grew up going to the cottage and passed the same tradition to her children and grandchildren.
Jill also simply loved to MOVE. Outdoors was her natural habitat—and it never mattered about the weather. Below zero or 100 degrees, you could find her walking with Bill and the dogs, with friends, or working in her beloved yard. She also loved to ski—whether carving runs in Michigan or in Snowmass, Colorado, where she and Bill spent countless days on the mountain with their dear friends, Herb and Pat Eldean. Her biggest walking adventure was with her two friends, Pat Eldean and Judy Smith—down into and back out of the Grand Canyon—a trek they trained for months to complete.
Even as walking grew more difficult, she and her caregivers, Mariah, or with her friend and neighbor, Jane Vandemeer, would walk for hours around the house on Heather Drive. And once she and Bill moved to The Farmstead, she continued to circle the community there with Mariah and Dasia, another favorite caregiver.
Jill was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, and like everything she did, she threw herself all in, guilds, volunteering with Feeding America, hosting holiday gatherings, and more.
Jill had a generous heart, quick wit, and absolutely loved to laugh and dance! Even as Alzheimer’s slowly took pieces of her, glimpses of this Jill remained.
Her family is deeply grateful for the care teams (Comfort Keepers of Holland, and the staff at The Farmstead Assisted Living—special thanks to Kim Mendels) and friends who walked this journey with them. She will be profoundly missed—and lovingly remembered.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, November 22 at 11:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. A luncheon will follow immediately after at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand Traverse Land Conservancy, the Harbor Humane Society (Holland), or to Alzheimer’s research.
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