Jill “Sis” Miller Durkee Passed away in her own house in Marion, MA on August 7th, 2013 after a feisty, fun-loving and life affirming five+ year battle with pancreatic cancer. Jill was surrounded by her loving and devoted family, both during her last days, throughout her illness and her life.
Jill, or “Sis”, was a bright spirit full of love with an endless enthusiasm for life. Sis would share her large heart and good fun with many close friends and relatives throughout the country and across all generations. Sis loved many of her friends and relatives as deeply as she loved her own family. Jill was the devoted daughter of Jack and Jill Miller, sister of late brother John “Sonny” Miller and the wife of late Henry Durkee. Jill spent many years in Chicago,IL, Newport Beach, CA and Marion, MA. In all these communities, Sis always volunteered her time to the betterment of the community as a whole.
Jill is survived by her children Henry, Scott, Mal and Jill and their spouses Bill, Diana and Kathleen. Also, Sis shared her special love and energy with her treasured grandkids Jack, Will, Chase, Hadley, Chad, William and Cate.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, August 17th at 10:00 a.m. at Tabor Academy’s Wickenden Chapel in Marion, MA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the Environmental Nature Center (in which she helped found in the 1970s), 1601 East 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA, 92663; to the MGH Cancer Center, ATTN Jeffrey Clark (who so expertly guided her to a much longer well-lived life) at Lawerence House, 10 N Grove Street, Boston, MA , 02114; or to Marion Harbor – East Trust, 1 West Drive, Marion, MA 02738 to support the Little Marion Golf Course, property Jill’s family placed into conservation to protect and ensure the betterment of Marion’s community now and into the future.