Obituary of Jill Hummels

JILL HUMMELS Jill Williams Hummels died peacefully in her sleep January 10th, 2016, at the age of 66, after a four-year struggle with lung cancer. Jill was born May 29, 1949, in Salem, Oregon, to Thomas and Elsie Williams. She graduated from McNary High School in 1967. Jill enrolled at Oregon State University, excelled in the visual arts, and earned a bachelor's degree in art and architecture in 1971. After college, she began a lifelong career as an interior designer, first with the Meier & Frank Company and later opening her own business, Jill's Custom Designs in 1989. She married Gene Hummels in 1974, and they spent most of their married life in Vancouver, raising son, Cameron, and daughter, Allison, there. Jill spent her life helping people. Whether it was working with the local schools, entertaining and cooking, designing home interiors, or creating flower arrangements, she sought to make people's lives better. Jill was extremely social and friendly, and she would rarely walk away from an activity without a new friend. She was extremely proud of her children; her best friend Gretchen would say that people around the world knew of Cam and Ali's accomplishments thanks to Jill's excitement and willingness to share. She enjoyed gardening, wine-tasting, photography, golfing, and distance running, proud to complete her first half marathon at the age of 62. As she battled her illness, her strong will and positive attitude helped her to consistently defy doctors' predictions. Her optimism and friendliness will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Jill is survived by her son Cameron, of Pasadena, CA; daughter Allison Zack Daniels and granddaughter Mia, of Seattle, WA; and brother Thomas Merna Williams of Naperville, IL. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Gene four years ago. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 15, 2016 at Jill's church, Messiah Lutheran, 905 NW 94th Street, Vancouver, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society in her memory at cancer.org. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.