Jill Jordan Obituary

Jill Elaine Jordan passed away peacefully on January 23, 2023. Jill was born on July 26, 1962 in Ottawa, KS to the late Thomas and Susan Jordan. Jill is survived by her husband of 33 years, Steven Kidwell, children Christopher Kidwell of Prairie Village, KS and Saffron Kidwell of Rolla, MO, and sisters Holly Jordan (Teresa Fralix) and Christina Jordan (Wayne Schroeder).

As a pre-teen, Jill enjoyed and identified with the Little House on the Prairie books. Although she wore pigtails well, she did NOT appreciate being told she looked like a young Melissa Gilbert. As a young teen, Jill relished her starring role as Nyfrm the Sprite in the long-running Lawrence youth theatre company, the Seem-To-Be-Players.

Jill attended Lawrence, KS public schools, graduating from Lawrence High School. An amazing writer and voracious reader from a young age, Jill was a National Merit Scholar Finalist and earned a coveted Watkins-Burger Scholarship at the University of Kansas. She completed her B.A. in Liberal Arts (French) in 1987 after initially studying textile design. The highlight of her college experience was a study abroad year in Bordeaux, France. Her university experiences forged her into the intelligent, strong, liberal, feminist woman most of us knew and loved.

Jill met her husband-to-be Steve while managing the gift shop at the KU Museum of Natural History. They married in 1989 at KU's Danforth Chapel. Friends would later tell Steve he "married up." Moving to Kansas City, MO, Jill stated emphatically they were "NOT staying in Kansas City." Thus began 30+ happy years living in the Westport and Brookside neighborhoods in Kansas City and enjoying the nearby treasured Nelson-Atkins Art Museum, Loose Park, local Edgevale Park and the Trolley Trail. Feline (Athena) and canine (too many to list) fur-babies were followed by children Christopher and Saffron.

Jill always looked for meaningful local employment including time at the Children's Place, Planned Parenthood, Pryde's, Women's Employment Network, and EarthWorks. Following several years of volunteering at the local National Public Radio affiliate, KCUR, Jill enjoyed over 15 years of assistant producing, Sunday morning announcing, and serving as office receptionist.

Jill also enjoyed volunteering and participating in many local activities and organizations including visiting nursing homes with therapy dog, Poppy, taking voice lessons, helping Brookside Mother's Association, and supporting her children's classrooms activities. For several years, she channeled her youth theatre and textile design experience into fantastic kid's Halloween costumes (including pulling all-nighters to finish them). Jill's interests also included birding, becoming a Missouri Master Naturalist, native plant gardening, and volunteering at the Lakeside Nature Center.

Jill was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2018. She received loving support from Steve, sisters Holly and Christina, friend Barbara Holle, and countless other wonderful friends and caregivers. Jill showed amazing courage and always maintained her kind, generous, loving spirit and her tender spot for children, dogs, and McLain's Bakery. Jill spent her final months in the loving, respectful care of the Evergreen Community of Johnson County in Olathe, KS and their sister hospice association.

A celebration of Jill's life will be held at the Carnegie building 200 W. Ninth St. in Lawrence, KS on Saturday February 25, 2023 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to KU Endowment, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044, to benefit the Jordan-Kidwell Study Abroad Scholarship. Online contributions can be made at www.kuendowment.org/give.