Jill Ann Bennett

Jill Ann (Donelly) Bennett of Melbourne Florida ,78, passed away peacefully at Anchor Care and Rehabilitation Center in Palm Bay Florida on Thursday, April 6, 2023. Jill was under the compassionate care of VITAS Hospice.

Jill was born on January 4, 1945 in Worcester Massachusetts and the second of two children of John and Rita (Murphy) Donelly whom preceded her. She has one child, a daughter, T (Bennett) Hines.

Jill spent most of her life between Massachusetts and Florida and graduated from Melbourne High School in Melbourne, Florida.

Jill loved all things art. Whether it’s candle making, pottery, sewing, fashion, decorating or poetry, it didn’t matter, Jill loved it all.

Many will remember Jill as a passionate, opinionated and fiercely independent force of nature. Coupled with beautiful blond hair, distinctive glasses, tanned skin and the biggest smile, it was impossible to miss her larger than life personality.

She was also a private person. She only told you what she wanted you to know, and only let people get so close. She tried to shield herself from the cruelty of this world, but in doing so, unfortunately, shut out some of the good.

Jill’s daughter, T, remembers her mom as a beautiful and fashionable goddess. She loved watching her mom put on her makeup and create the most stylist outfit from simple clothing, remembering her golden locks and magnetic smile. Later in life, T remembered her mom as an activist and volunteer who loved gardening, sipping tea, art, reading, collecting, and sports. “I’ll always remember my mom rooting for the unseen, underprivileged and underdog.” She would write to the local paper, protest, volunteer and engage in activism. Jill would give you her last dollar or the shirt off her back.

T remembers, “When I was in elementary school I raised my hand everyday to fetch the milk from the cafeteria for our snack. After much frustration I went home to tell my mother that our teacher never picked the girls to retrieve the milk.” Jill met with the principle and T demonstrated how a girl could also carry the milk for snack time. Together they won that battle. “My mom was telling me I was worthy. She was teaching me to be independent. She was showing me to look out for the oppressed and unseen. She was rooting for me. I will always appreciate those lessons at such a young age.”

Jill was a bright light who could burn you if you got too close but who shined so splendidly that you couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

The world is a little less bright without Jill in it. Your family and friends are missing a small bit of their heart now that you have gone. Goodbye our dearest, Jill.