Geraldine Mary (Jill) Parker

Geraldine Mary Parker, known as Jill, passed away peacefully on December 7th, 2021. She spent her last autumn in Ontario in the loving company of her daughters who will cherish their final months together. Born in St. John’s on November 28, 1928, to Dr. E. Leo Sharpe and Ellen (Bishop), Jill was the fourth of nine children. She had a happy childhood, fondly recalling her summers spent in Manuels playing in open fields, swimming in Conception Bay, and enjoying carefree days with her beloved siblings.

Jill attended school at the Academy of Our Lady of Mercy. After attending Memorial College, she entered the General Hospital School of Nursing where she found her three years in nurses training to be profound and fulfilling.

In 1951, she married James (Jay) W. Parker. Their deep love for one another was based on their shared values of honour, decency, and kindness to others. He loved her feisty nature, common sense, and keen observation of human nature. Together they raised seven children whose love, respect, and admiration for their mother’s wisdom and devotion grew deeper with the years.

Jill was an avid reader who taught her children to always respect the less fortunate, to accept life with all its ups and downs, to be kind and courteous and to persevere. She was loyal, trustworthy, passionate and stoic when life presented challenges.

Jill leaves behind her loving children: Joan, Janet (Donald Brushett), Brenda (Gary Mooney), Barbara, Elizabeth (Stephen Wills), Louise (Richard Brunet) and James. They will miss her sparkling eyes, her beautiful laugh and her love.

Jill was predeceased by her husband Jay, siblings Patricia Russell, Zita Sharpe, Edward Sharpe, Eleanor Blair, Duncan Sharpe, and Noreen Sharpe. She will be missed by her sister, Irene Normandin (Washington DC), her children and their spouses and her grandchildren: Christopher Brushett, David Brushett, Katie Brushett, Jonathan Mooney, Ian Mooney, and Jay Wills, as well as many nephews and nieces.

A funeral mass will be held at Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, at St. John’s on Thursday, September 15 at 2 PM to be followed by inurnment at Belvedere Cemetery.