Jill passed away peacefully on April 19, 2021 at the age of 78. She leaves behind her loving husband Barry, whom she was married to for 55 years, her son Kevin (Cynthia), daughter Tisha, granddaughters Hannah, Kailee, Phoebe, Madeline and Caitlin, and her brother Terry Boorman (Claudia). Jill had an early passion for art and she evolved into an accomplished and well-known Canadian nature artist. Her paintings expressed realism and exhibited the colours and abundance of Vancouver Island as well as the places she travelled to. Jill completed many private commissions, was an “artist in residence” on the SS Universe to Alaska and taught painting throughout Greater Victoria, including at her home studios. She was a long-time member of several art clubs and associations, including the Federation of Canadian Artists, Saanich Peninsula Arts & Crafts, the Victoria Sketch Club and was an enthusiastic member of the Victoria Plein Air painter’s group, called the Al Frescoes of Victoria.
Her favourite place was always at home in her garden and in her studio and she hosted many paint-ins in her garden with other notable artists. Jill was extremely creative in all areas of her life, was a vivid storyteller and maintained her love of art and the experience and tranquility that this brought into her life. She and her husband enjoyed travelling, Jill loved to see new places, to put her feet in the sand and to swim in warm ocean waters. In later years, they ventured up and down the island in their RV and spent summers with friends at Westwood Lake. Jill was the much-loved matriarch of the Slagboom family. Birthdays and special occasions always required special attention and an excuse to have family and friends over. These gatherings were central to her life and happiness, as were the many dear friendships she gained over the years. Jill’s presence, warmth, and compassion will be missed by many whose lives she has touched and by the legacy of her paintings.
A Memorial Service was held in person for the immediate family at McCall Gardens on Friday, April 30, 2021 at 1pm. A recording of the service can be found below.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com.
-
Lianne Hunter
-
Fern and John Spring Dear Barry and family,
We were very sorry to hear of Jill’s passing. Please accept our sincere condolences. We mainly knew Jill as a talented artist and have a number of her paintings in our home. She was a dear friend to our sister, Lynda, and through her we were privileged to hear a story or two of their adventures together. Lots of laughs and memories. She will be a great loss to all.
-
Kelly Orr-Loney Dear Barry and Family:
I just wanted to express Tom’s and my heartfelt condolences for your loss. Jill was such a wonderful, creative and imaginative person and we know you will miss her dearly. You are in our hearts and our thoughts at this time.
Blessings to you all.
Kelly
-
Dennis and Margaret Dale Barry, we are very sorry to hear about Jill’s passing. All of us will miss her creativity. Our sincere condolences.
Dennis and Margaret Dale
-
Bert & Adrie Pluijmert, Lieve BARRY & FAMILY,
Wij herinneren Jill zoals zij was als een lieve en zorgzame vrouw, die bij ons gelogeerd heeft toen zij met BARRY 2 weekjes bij ons was. Zij wilde in die paar weekjes zoveel mogelijk van NEDERLAND zien!! Zoals bijvoorbeeld HET KRULLER MULLER MUSEUM met schilderijen van de nederlandse schilder VINCENT VAN GOGH. Ze stond zo dichtbij te kijken naar een schilderij dat haast het alarm afging. Had zere voeten van het vele lopen.
BARRY VEEL STERKTE NU EN DE KOMENDE TIJDLieve groetjes van ons:
BERT & ADRIE
-
Alison & Ron Kobylnyk Dear Barry. We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. Jill was such a vibrant and brilliant person, and artist. We are lucky to have one of her beautiful paintings. Good and kind neighbors to us on Brousson Drive, we will remember your friendship over many years, and we wish you Barry, Tisha and Kevin our special blessings in this difficult time. Ron and I send our blessing to you all.
Alison and Ron Kobylnyk
-
Barry and Mary Bowen Barry and family-
Our friendship with Jill goes back many years and her warm smile, deep interest in people and events, her wonderful talent as an artist and her pride and love of family will remain with us forever.
We always looked forward to our get-togethers, whether it was at their home, at a pub, a high school gathering or out exploring landscapes that inspired Jill’s art. We’ll always treasure our painting of Cattle Point.
We send our deepest sympathy to Barry, to Kevin and Tisha, the grandchildren and all the family in their huge loss. We’ll never forget her.
Much love and hugs, Barry and Mary
-
Mike Claxton Dear Barry and Family – I’m very sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and family.
Feel free to give me a call just for for a chat.
My thoughts are with you,
regards, Mike (Saanich Lions)
-
Susan Ross Dear Barry and Family,
I send my sincerest condolences to you and your family at this sad time.
My memories of Jill return to school days and laterally our lives crossed at high school reunion lunches.
I trust happy memories will eventually help to sustain you in the time ahead.Susan Ross
-
Lynne & Ray Pauwels Dear Barry & Family
We were so sorry to hear about Jill’s passing. We’ll all miss her very much but none so much as you. She was totally devoted to her family and friends and we were all lucky to have her in our lives. We have wonderful memories of great times together.
The world has lost such an incredible person – wife, mother, grandmother, friend, artist and entertainer. We could go on forever it seems. Jill won’t be forgotten.
You have our deepest sympathy.
-
Ron Sims Barry and family
Jill was a true friend for life.
This message describes her so well.If more people were like you
There would be more birds singing
More flowers blooming
More hugs happening
More kind words spoken
More reasons to celebrate each dayR
Barry we are thinking of you and sending hugs to you and your family
Ron & Donna
-
Keith Boorman Keith and Maureen
Dear Barry, Terry and family
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. As one of the Boorman clan she will be missed by all of us. Lots of good memories of early days especially the Christmas morning family gatherings. Most recently Maureen and I had the pleasure to reunite and catch up just prior to Jill’s health declining.
With our sympathy,
Love Keith and Maureen
-
Trevor and Jacquie Jones Dear Barry and family: We are saddened to read of Jill’s passing. Jill was a wonderful person, always ready for a good laugh and a good story, and much sought-after and appreciated in the arts community. We have fond memories of the years we all spent on Brousson Drive as good neighbours who enjoyed each other’s company immensely. We send you and your family our condolences and our hopes for better days ahead. Trevor and Jacquie Jones
-
Lois and Don Jones Barry, sending thoughts and condolences to you and your family at this sad time. Remembering some of the good times we shared together many years ago in the Victoria Empress Lions Club.
Lois and Don Jones
-
Valerie Watkin Dear Barry, Kevin and Tisha,
I was so deeply saddened to hear that Jill passed away recently.
I have known Jill for many years—actually, we met in Grade 1 in Miss Griffin’s class at Monterey School!
After pursuing different careers, it was so nice to meet Jill once again in recent years at our High School Reunion luncheons. I so enjoyed her great sense of humour, and we shared many laughs particularly when discussing our school years!
Jill had such a full life and accomplished so much!!
She had an amazing career and will always be remembered as an extremely gifted and distinguished Artist! Jill will be greatly missed by us all.My thoughts are with you, and I send along my deepest sympathy to you and all the family.
Valerie Watkin
-
BRIAN THOMAS SMITH I have fond memories of my cousin Jill, especially the Christmas mornings we all spent together having a great time while the parents relaxed. Unfortunately I have lost contact with most of my Boorman cousins and just made contact with Sandy (King). I moved from Victoria in the early 70s and have lived in Campbell River for the past 34 years and only getting back to Victoria for various meetings and unfortunately never catching up with family and I regret this now as we all get older. Jill will be missed. My condolences to the Slagboom family, Barry and Terry and Claudia
-
Lynne and Elliot Schulnik Our condolences to you Barry and all your family.
Jill was a beautiful person and an encouraging friend to me. We painted together
in Tofino some years back. I knew her since we were age three in Oak Bay. We visited
each other over the years although living far apart. I will miss her.
Love, Lynne and Elliot
-
Chris and Gary Peterman We are sorry for the loss of Jill in your lives. We enjoyed seeing her at times over the years when we were at Terry and Claudia’s for special occasions. She will be missed by so many whose lives she touched.
-
John Youson Barry:
So sorry to hear of Jill’s death. She was a cherished member of our ’60 grad class of Oak Bay High. It was nice for me to reconnect with her while you were contracting our Victoria condo renovations and see you in your lovely homes with her talents displayed.
May memories of happy times together and with your family sustain you now and in the years to come.
With our sympathy,
John (and Betty) Youson
-
Ella Howell Dear Barry,
My deepest condolences to you and your family at the loss of the wonderful wife and mother that Jill was for so many years. I know she will be sorely missed by you all. I hope there is some relief in knowing she finally rests after the courageous battle she fought with these insidious diseases. May she fly with the angels. Love, Ella
-
Donna Denman Dear Barry and family including Terry and Claudia,
I was so sorry to hear of Jill’s passing. I, too, remember fondly Christmas mornings with the Boorman cousins. I was also privileged to take one of Jill’s painting classes and admired her talent and her warm sense of humour.
Our thoughts are with you all. Donna Denman (King)
-
Jane Patterson My thoughts are with you and your family, Barry.
I enjoyed knowing Jill and appreciated her
kindnesses and her welcoming manner.
I was in awe of her artistic talents.
She was such a gracious hostess at the Vic High
Reunion parties held outside and inside your home,
especially as she was an Oak Bay High grad!
She will be missed by so many people and has left
you and your family a wealth of wonderful memories.
Jane Patterson
-
Sandra and Steve MacDonald Dear Barry and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of Jill’s passing. I have wonderful memories of many a Christmas morning together with all us cousins, as well as very welcomed family reunions. Jill was always so kind and you knew she had a big heart. Our thoughts are with you!
Love Sandy and Steve MacDonald
-
Heather Lewis Barry, I am so sorry for your loss. Jill was always such a gracious host and friend to us crazy Vic-Highers when we had get togethers at your beautiful home. Rest in peace dear Jill. You will certainly be missed.
-
Frouke en Fred Rodermond Lieve Barry en familie
Wij hebben het akelige bericht ontvangen over het overlijden van uw lieve echtgenote Jill.
Hierbij onze condoleances. Wij denken aan jullie en hopen dat u de mooie herinneringen aan Jill in uw hart kunt sluiten.Veel Sterkte.
Liefs Frouke en Fred
-
Pam and Gord Dear Barry and family
We are so sorry to hear of Jill’s passing and at such a difficult time when we could not visit. Our love goes out to you
and the family .
We will always treasure the painting of Jill’s and the fond memories we had growing up in Victoria.
Love Pam and Gord
-
Mary d'Isendoorn Dear Barry and family,
I am so glad to have met Jill. She was a lovely woman and always ready for
Wim and mine company, showing her beautiful art-work.
My deepest condolences to you, Barrv and family.
Wishing you lots of strength! My thoughts are with you!
Love and Hugs,
Rie d’Isendoorn
-
Vanessa Lee Thinking of you all and sending all my love
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”
RIP Mrs. Slagboom. Forever in our hearts and memory
xx
-
Judy Gill Dear Barry and Family, Thinking back, I remember Jill’s willingness to co-host our Vic High Class of 60 reunion enthusiasts, for both planning meetings and events.. we will long remember that huge outdoor breakfast ! She was so friendly and hospitable, and on those days, your home was our home. There is no easy way to say goodbye to one so loved and talented. The memory of Jill’s dedication and work as wife, mother, grandmother, artist and host , will live on in many hearts. Special Blessings on you and all your family. Judy Gill.
I will miss that great lady.
School mates at Oak Bay schools.
Blessings to you all.