Obituary of Jill VAN TOL (nee Rust)

July 14, 1934 – Shorncliffe, England
December 11, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Jill van Tol, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the age of 86 years.

Jill Rust was born July 14th, 1934 in Shorncliffe, England. Jill and her twin sister Jackie were a surprise to their parents, as there had not been any indication of twins prior to their arrival!  They were the second and third children of Captain John Rust and Lorna Rust (nee Morris) and were followed by a younger sister.  Their step-brother from Captain Rust’s first marriage was tragically killed during a Peace Keeping operation in Cyprus in 1956.  Jill was raised in Bexley, Kent except during the WWII years when she lived in Newcastle-under-Lyme (in the midlands).   Graduating as a Licentiate of The Royal Music Academy; and with her teaching certificate from the University of London, she desired to move to the remote and rugged ‘west’ and placing her finger on a map - decided on Pincher Creek, Alberta.

Jill met her future husband, Bernard “Ben” when she was teaching at Gladstone Valley from 1958 to 1960. They were married at the United Church in Pincher Creek on August 27, 1959. A daughter, Susan Lorna was born on September 22 1960.  Sadly her lungs were not fully developed and she died just four short days later on September 26th.   A second child, Stephen John, followed in 1963; and in the summer of 1964 the young family moved to a farm in the Dovercourt area just south of Rocky Mountain House. Linda Maureen arrived in 1965, followed closely by Peter Bernard in 1966. 

Jill worked on the family farm and continued with her teaching career as she worked in various schools in Rocky and the surrounding area.  The children grew up and moved away throughout the 80’s and Ben and Jill divorced in the summer of 1986 with Ben moving back to Pincher Creek.  Jill remained on the farm and operated it by herself until 2003, when she moved to Calgary. The grandchildren had started arriving in the early 80’s and Jill was blessed over the years with seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild is expected in early 2021.   

Jill was very active in her community all her life and her children fondly remember her activities with the school bands, Girl Guides, and pee-wee Hockey.  She also volunteered with ESL programs, Literacy Programs, Terry Fox Foundation, and numerous other community organizations both in Rocky Mountain House and in Calgary. Sadly Alzheimers slowly took its toll on her and she moved into care in early 2019 in Calgary.  Her family extends their thanks to Scenic Acres Retirement Home and to Bowcrest Extended Care Center and all their wonderful staff for their care over the last twenty months.  

She is survived by her sister Pat Crocker of Kent, England; children Stephen (Heather) van Tol of Ottawa, Linda Anderson of Calgary, and Peter (Wendy) van Tol of Rocky Mountain House.  She is remembered by all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; as well as many great neighbors and friends she made over the years. Jill was predeceased by her parents, John and Lorna Rust; her ex-husband Ben; her sisters, Lorna and Jackie; her brother Snowy; and her daughter Susan.

Jill had requested, if friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made in her daughter, Susan Lorna Van Tol’s memory to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, 28 Oki Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta,  T3B 6A8, Telephone: (403) 955.8818. www.childrenshospital.ab.ca.

Due to Covid restrictions the family will be holding a memorial service in the spring/summer of 2021. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Jill’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Jill van Tol    , a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.