Discover Jillie’s Inspiring Journey of Hope

In April 2022, my best friend, Jill Ward, started experiencing debilitating symptoms in her abdomen. Symptoms included: Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, exhaustion, abdominal fullness, unexplained weight loss, heartburn and indigestion. After an emergency gall bladder surgery which was thought to be the culprit, the symptoms worsened. She went through extensive blood work, CT scans, an MRI, ER visits, two endoscopies, and upper GI, several biopsies and exploratory surgery. She was then delivered the terrifying news on July 20, 2022…it’s Stage 4 stomach cancer that has spread to lymph nodes and her abdomen. This diagnosis was a massive shock to her and her family as well as all of us who love her dearly.

Jillie meant the world to so many people. Those of us who have known her for a long time know her history of being a fighter and a survivor. In 1990, she beat stage 3B Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 16. Clear scans each year showed she was cancer free until shortly after her 41st birthday in 2015. She was diagnosed with stage 2 Colon Cancer. Once again she faced a battle! She beat that cancer too and remained cancer free until her recent diagnosis of stomach cancer. Due to the slow growing rate of this cancer, by the time symptoms appeared, it was already at a stage 3/4. She was told her cancer was terminal but she refused to accept that diagnosis and was confident in her faith. The statistics gave her 7 months but Jillie said, “Nope! I KNOW who my God is!” and she gave us a beautiful 3 years of faith, fighting and amazing testimony. She left a legacy of hope for all who knew her.

I’m sure you can imagine with the loss of income, the increasing medical bills and rising cost of healthcare, it can be a lot for a family who is battling cancer along with all of the physical, mental and emotional stress that comes with it. There comes a time when a person needs to step outside of their comfort zone and ask for help. Jillie was always a very private person when it came to finances and she would never ask for the help. She even declined financial help during her last battle but those who knew her chose to step in as a village.. HER VILLAGE. As her friends and family, so many of us chose to give back the same way she’s given so much of herself over the years. She worked as a preschool teacher, a substitute in the GCPS system and the most wonderful Instacart Shopper and Door Dash driver. She had to completely stop working due to the debilitating symptoms from this cancer. Cancer treatments took a tremendous toll financially but Jillie needed the time to rest and heal so going back to work would not be an option for her for a while. She had to fully dedicate her time and energy to intense treatments to try and beat this cancer again. For that reason, I had started a GoFundMe for their family to help offset the costs related to medical bills, doctors appointments, surgeries, out of pocket costs, gas, food shopping and any other family needs that come with the loss of income. The bills didn’t stop just because she did! These donations allowed her to fully focus on what is most important… fighting the cancer and working toward a full recovery. It also took a huge financial burden off their family and allowed her to pay off medical bills and provide meals for her family.

Anyone that knew Jillie would say she was such a positive force and cared deeply for those close to her. I considered her such an inspiration as I’m sure many others did. She was very vulnerable and open about her treatment while sharing her ups and downs on social media as she battled through her cancer. Jillie spent her entire life serving, loving the Lord and loving all people…even the unlovable.

How did YOU know Jill Ward?

Maybe she was your daughter, wife, mother, sister, sister in law, aunt, cousin, best friend, acquaintance or you might not even know her at all. Maybe you’ve been blessed with her friendship and had the opportunity to hang out with her going to lunch or shopping. Maybe you were fortunate enough to watch her grow up or grew up with her at Providence Baptist Church and received one of her amazing hugs. Maybe she was a substitute for your classroom of amazing kids. Maybe you went to high school with her and remember how sick she was and when she lost her hair. Maybe your children were blessed to have her teach their preschool class or as their public school substitute teacher for the day or even weeks. Maybe you cheered with her in the stands at softball, football or basketball games as she cheered on every single kid on the team. Maybe you played softball with her in high school or even on the adult team at church. Maybe her husband works with you and you’ve heard him talk about what an wonderful wife she was. Maybe she scrapbooked with you at an event. Maybe she blessed you with a meal when you were down and out, lost a loved one, had a baby or were just needing a friend. Maybe you had the opportunity to meet her when she delivered your groceries or your food with a smile. Maybe you had the opportunity to see her at her most vulnerable state during a cancer chemo treatment. Maybe you were the nurse who did her labs or hooked her up to her chemo. Regardless of how you knew Jillie, one thing is certain, she was one of the most beautiful, selfless, kindhearted, dedicated and hardworking woman I will ever know and faced this tough life she had been dealt with courage, bravery and a SMILE.

On June 23, 2025, Jillie lost her battle with cancer. She fought such a tough fight and her body was so tired. I am now shifting my focus from raising money for medical bills to raising money to help send students to college in honor of Jillie. Those who knew her, know how much she loved her college days but also how excited and proud she was to see her kids grow up and pursue work goals and college. School was always so important to her as well as her love for working within the GCPS system. She encouraged every student that crossed her path. When she was diagnosed with her final cancer, her main goal was to live long enough to see her daughter graduate from college. Even through her final surgeries, she was exhausted and showed such bravery and strength, but she made it to see her daughter graduate and passed away just a few weeks later on June 23, 2025.

What made us choose Lavender Wings as a name? Jillie and I shared the love for the color, purple. Purple also represents the awareness ribbon for ALL cancer types. Purple also represents royalty, honor, respect, empathy, compassion, creativity, transformation and emotional reslience. Wings suggest rising above limitations, whether emotional, financial, or circumstantial. Wings are often associated with angels and spiritual messengers, symbolizing hope and unseen support. Wings reflect the desire to reach higher, dream bigger, and pursue purpose. Just as butterflies emerge from cocoons, wings represent the transformation students undergo when supported through difficult times. Butterfly wings, especially in purple, can represent the emotional metamorphosis young scholars experience moving from grief or uncertainty into empowerment and opportunity. Most importantly. Jillie has shown she was near in the form of a butterfly. Her transformation from this physical world to the spiritual world was an emotional yet beautiful one.

Your donation to the Lavender Wings Foundation means more than words can express. By giving in honor of Jillie , a radiant soul who faced cancer with unmatched courage and grace, you’re helping students rise from hardship and pursue their dreams. Jillie’s legacy will live on in every scholarship we award, every story we uplift, and every student we support. Your generosity ensures that her spirit continues to inspire hope, resilience, and love.

Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for honoring Jillie. And thank you for helping our scholars soar.

With deepest gratitude, Jill West, founder of Lavender Wings Foundation

SPECIAL THANK YOU:

A special thank you goes out to Dr. Koko Maung, Dr. Sarah West and the Gloucester Cancer Center Nurses for the extraordinary care they provided to Jillie throughout her cancer journey. Their expertise, compassion, and steady presence meant more to us than words can fully express. In the most difficult moments, they gave not only medical guidance but emotional reassurance. They listened, they comforted, and they treated Jillie with dignity and kindness never just as a patient, but as a person with a story, a family, and a life worth honoring. Even in loss, we carry deep appreciation for everything they did to make her final chapter one of connection, grace, and peace. Their role in that was immeasurable. Thank you for the difference they made in our lives. Their dedication continues to ripple beyond the care they gave, touching hearts with the healing they offered.

With deepest thanks, Jill West, founder of Lavender Wings Foundation