Obituary of Jillian (Jill) Hope O'Connell

March 7, 1997 – Calgary, Alberta

October 20, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Jillian “Jill” Hope O’Connell, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the age of 26 years.

After graduating from the University of Calgary with her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, Jill started up her own company called DaCapo Voice Studio. She reached the status of top five vocal studios in Calgary.

Through her musical journey, Jill performed in Jesus Christ Superstar as Mary Magdalene and played Roz in the musical Grease. Jill was the guest star in the premier opera performance Symphony No.5, Return to Middle Earth, at the Rozsa Theatre with the University of Calgary Orchestra. Her voice was a gift and those who had the opportunity to hear it were blessed.

Jill was a “triple threat” – she loved to dance, sing, and act. Jill played clarinet, piano, and guitar.  She sang with her friends, her dad, her extended family and at home on a regular basis.

She was a voracious reader, loved spending time with her sister Stephanie, and watching musicals with her mom.

She particularly enjoyed her Harry Potter movie marathons with her brother Callum. Jill learned how to play crib with her Oma and Opa and went out of her way to spend time with her niece Oaklyn.

Through Jill's struggle with mental health and addiction, she was a fighter! She fought for herself, and she fought so she could be with her family. Her family was the most important thing to her.

Her passion was singing and music. She loved music from the time she could talk and was singing at the age of two. Music was a language for Jill, and she connected with many of her friends through this love. She and her boyfriend Matt found their shared love for music, and it helped them through life struggles and created an undeniable bond.

She will be most remembered for her kind, beautiful spirit that always shone, even through the dark times. She was an amazing friend, sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and aunt who put family at the top of her list. She lived to laugh and was loved by all who met her.

Jillian is survived by her madre Monica (Dave); fajza John (Ludmila); brother Callum (Maddi); sister Stephanie (Justin); niece Oaklyn; Oma and Opa (John and Karin); Granny (Ann). She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.  

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Saturday, October 28, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Hom. Condolences, and memories shared with Jill’s family here.

 If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to any Mental Health or Addiction Center of their choice.   

In living memory of Jillian “Jill” Hope O’Connell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.