Jill Parker, 58, died peacefully on Jan. 8 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by friends who were her chosen family. You always knew where you stood with Parker, as she was more than happy to tell you what was on her mind. The daughter of the late Joseph Parker, she was predeceased by her brother Robert “Bobby” Parker and survived by her loving mother Iona Parker Nadeau, as well as many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins.
A 1978 graduate of Georgetown High School, Parker went on to study business at Northern Essex Community College and began her career at the Georgetown Savings Bank. She moved on to the Pingree Insurance Agency in Haverhill where she stayed for over 25 years. Parker was a storefront favorite on Merrimack Street in Haverhill always getting a friendly honk by friends passing by. Her two best friends since elementary school, Kim (Walker) Murphy and Didi (Davidson) Langell, shared many adventures throughout their five-decade friendship. The three friends were typically reduced to tears recalling all the hilarious moments they experienced together. Until the very end, Murphy and Langell were at Parker’s side. Parker loved to travel but never felt the need to see any other part of the world than her own country. From trips with her mom to Alaska, the Grand Tetons, the Badlands, and Niagara Falls to taking Langell’s daughter Nicole to Yosemite National Park and California, Parker was always up for an adventure. Planning these trips was probably just as much fun for her than taking them.
Parker was an avid fan of her beloved Red Sox and New England Patriots having attended numerous games at Fenway and Gillette Stadium over the years. She was a great lover of nature. From working at the Ingraham Christmas Tree Farm, climbing Mount Washington, looking for shells at the beach, or simply taking long walks with friends, she preferred the beauty of nature to being inside. Later in life she discovered birdwatching, which she completely took to the very first time out.
Parker took extreme pride in the more than 20 children that she helped raise throughout her life. What started as a babysitting job for Bill and Olive Ingraham, and their children Jim, David, Bob, Cal and Marcia, turned into a lifelong commitment with Parker becoming an honorary family member and second mother to many. Among them are Didi and Richard Langell’s children Nicole, Richard and Robert and Kim and Pat Murphy’s children, Patrick, Michael, Katie and Kelly. Parker’s final honorary family became an integral part of her life. Marcia (Ingraham) Tatum married Alex Tatum and they have three children, Olivia, Caroline and Garrett. They have grown up surrounded by their “Yaya’s” unconditional love. These three kids completely stole Yaya’s heart and brought her so much joy and pride.
Parker’s family and friends would like to thank Dr. Goyal and the staff at Mass General Hospital along with the staff at the Kaplan House.
All are invited to her visitation on Friday, Jan. 11 from 4-8 p.m. in the Conte – Giamberardino Funeral Home, 14 Pleasant St., Georgetown. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. in The Congregational Church of Topsfield, 9 East Common St., Topsfield. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, 5526 West 13400 South, No. 510, Herriman, UT 84096 or www.cholangiocarcinoma.org.