VEINOT

After a two-year battle of incredible strength and perseverance against breast cancer, Jill Evelyn Veinot, 41, passed away on October 31st, peacefully as she slept, with the love of her life by her side. Though her time here with us was unfairly small, the mark she has made on those she leaves behind is monumental.

Born and raised in Lunenburg, Jill valued a closeness to family & the place she called home and always stayed close to her roots. She was the middle child of Stewart & Melinda Veinot and grew up on the family farm on the Northwest Road. Her “farm girl” beginnings no doubt played a role in the grit she displayed when faced with the challenges that life would hold for her. Jill spent her youth as she did her adulthood, quietly spending her time with those she loved most and taking part in the things that brought her joy. She balanced her younger years with a love of school and participation in sport, with a particular talent for figure skating. She had a strong work ethic from a young age and always put her all into the jobs she had while growing up, the most notable being the years she spent at Kinley’s, a place she loved for the opportunity it gave her to connect with so many people. It was also from behind that counter at Kinley’s that gave way to what would become a lifelong love & partnership with Aaron, as it was the place that brought him into her orbit. Jill and Aaron began dating when they were both 17 years old and from then on in, it was history. Many would agree that this was an “opposites attract” situation of the highest degree, but it was one that surely worked. Jill and Aaron spent 24 wonderful years building their life together and her love for him was unwavering. No one in this world could make Jill laugh the way that Aaron could, a talent that was welcome during the toughest of her days. There was no one else Jill would have wanted by her side and there was nowhere else Aaron would have rather been. Jill spent their life together being the organizer and the strong foundation of their family but when the time came, Aaron took up this role in a heartbeat and became “her rock” as she lovingly called him.

From a young age Jill had her sights set on becoming a teacher, specifically a math teacher by the time she got to grade 10. Her love of the subject grew during this time, and she knew exactly what her career was to be. Jill graduated from Park View Education Centre in 2002 and went on to Acadia University in Wolfville where she first completed a four-year Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Math and continued on to a two-year Bachelor of Education Degree. Following her graduation from Acadia, Jill followed those roots back home and settled into her life in Lunenburg with Aaron. She began her teaching career at Chester Area Middle School for a short time before getting a job closer to home at her very own high school, Park View Education Centre. Jill would spend the rest of her career at Park View where she passionately taught countless students. Her love for the job, the subject, and most importantly the students themselves was always evident by the care and effort she put into them all. She was firm but nurturing and cared deeply about the lives she was involved in shaping.

As passionate as Jill was about what she had chosen to do with her life, nothing else held a candle to what would end up being her true calling in life; being a mom. Jill and Aaron welcomed three beautiful baby girls together, Madison Gail in 2013, Abigail Jean in 2016 and finally Evelyn Jo in 2022. The love that Jill had for her girls was truly immeasurable. She dove into motherhood with such a natural ease and continued on that way until the very end. Often on her own with the girls as Aaron worked away for a month at time, she rarely asked for help and never missed a beat. Even as she endured endless months of treatment for her cancer, Jill always made sure that life stayed as normal as possible for her girls. She went above and beyond and always showed up for them. She loved those girls with every fibre of her being and poured her heart and soul into every part of being their mom. The void left is unimaginable, but without a doubt those sweet girls will never question how much their mom loved them.

Without a doubt Jill will be remembered by all for her absolute kindness and her infectious personality. To know Jill was to love her. She had a way of making people feel welcome and there isn’t a person on this earth that she couldn’t hold a conversation with. She was quiet about her life but, my goodness she was fierce. Jill spent the last two years quietly and bravely facing this awful illness with her family by her side. She fought with grace, determination, and endless hope that she would be allowed more time. There is nothing she wanted more than time with the ones she loved, namely her girls. Even in the darkest of her own days, she always thought of others and always found a moment to pass on that beautiful smile. She will be deeply missed for the rest of all our days, but we will take comfort in knowing that we get to keep pieces of her that she left behind in her three beautiful girls.

Jill is survived by her devoted partner of 24 years, Aaron Jackson; her three precious girls, Madison, Abigail, and Evelyn; father Stewart Veinot, Northwest; sister Jodie Veinot, Northwest; brother Larry Veinot (Breanna Bolivar), Northwest; aunt Darlene Smith (Gary), Northwest; cousins Ben Smith (Sarah, Malcolm & Henry), Bridgewater and Francine Smith (Andrew Himmelman), Northwest; mother and father in-law Brenda and Robin Jackson, Lunenburg; sister in-law Kelly Stevens (Chris Whynot), Bridgewater and nephews Luca and Jack Stevens. She was predeceased by paternal grandparents Evelyn and Perry Veinot.

Arrangements are under the care of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213, Hwy 3, Lunenburg.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Jennifer Melvin, Dr. Kuznetsov, Dr. Hammouda, and most of all to Dr. Annette Harris, Dr. Christian Pugh, and all the nurses, staff, and volunteers on the Chemo Unit at South Shore Regional Hospital. For two years your unit was a strong and steady support for Jill, and she loved you all so very much.

Donations may be made to the IWK in Jill's memory.