Memories of my Sis-in-Law Jill by Mia Lowry

The first memory I have of Jill was when I met her at their house on McClellan (I think it was called that) Street/Drive. They lived in a nice little apartment. She came out with Sheba (sp?) their Great Dane. I had never seen one before and I must admit it was intimidating. She really loved those dogs. I called her Marmaduke and Jill laughed and said Marmaduke is a boy and Sheba is a girl.

She had plants everywhere. I couldn't believe how beautiful they were and when I saw them I knew Mom (who was sitting next to me) was going to be loving each and everyone of them. Later, Mom said she wanted to know how she got her plants to do so well.

My next great memory is when I went over to visit while they lived in Peoria. Lit'l Ish came running inside and asked her, "Why do kids keep asking me why my Mom married a black guy? Dad is not black." Jill turned to see my face and we both started laughing. She got a look and then said, "You tell them if they ask you again because your Mom likes black men."

I remember when I came over to see her as she was dying. She told me how she needed to get things in order but Ish would not let her discuss it. She was worried about how he was going to handle her death. I brought her some yellow roses and she was happy to get them. Then she asked me to cut her hair. I freaked out. I told her I couldn't do it. You see, Jill would get mad at me whenever I cut my hair. She loved long hair and said she liked mine. She said she wished hers would be able to get as long as mine did and that it was beautiful. I knew if I ever cut my hair I was going to get a lecture from Jill. So, you can see why I was freaking out over her request for me to cut her hair. I told her I couldn't do it and she asked me again with such persistence I could not deny her request. She felt terrible about it, but let me know she was OK with it being cut because she couldn't take care of it right anymore. It took all of me to keep from crying as I cut her hair. She said she was glad I cut it and could not think of anyone else who she would have do it for her.

My last conversation with Jill was when she was in the hospital in 2000. I had taken the day off to watch Ish and Meghan. It was a Friday. She called me to thank me for doing this for her family. I asked her how she was and she burst into tears. She said she was tired of being sick and tired of living. She was ready to go. I did not know what to say or think or feel for that matter. This was new ground for me. I don't even know what lame response I probably gave her when she said this to me. A few weeks later she passed away. I was there, but I can't write about it today.