Jill Byrne went to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, following a wonderful, sparkly day with dear friends at our church picnic. She passed away very quickly in her own bed, in her own home while holding the hands of her loving husband. 

 Jill's salvation took place while attending a Billy Graham Crusade, and she was baptized with her daughter on New Years Day, 1978. She has been a faithful servant since. The signature verse in Jill's Bible is from Psalm 127:1, Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

 Jill was a retired schoolteacher. She had really found her groove at the Charlotte Technical Center, teaching and mentoring adults. She was proudest about starting the first American school at the U.S. Consulate in Peking, China. She also lived in Yugoslavia, Pakistan, and Liberia. She was no stranger to boiling her family's drinking water and even taking worm pills.

 Those closest to her called her Miz Jilly. She was passionate about all the details of her adult Sunday School Class, taking attendance, making magnetic nametags, and a directory for everyone. She would always arrive carrying her Bible and an armload of clipboards. Heaven forbid if you showed up for class without your nametag-Miz Jilly wanted everyone to know who you were! She was the driving force behind pot-luck fellowship dinners and lunches out. It was the best way for new members to feel welcome. 

 Miz Jilly hated to cook and bragged the only reason she had a stove was that it came with the house. Her husband would frequently hide presents for her in the oven. Still, Miz Jilly was known all over the county for only one recipe, and its main ingredient was chocolate. She also kept the post office in business, mailing out greeting cards for any occasion.

 Jill enjoyed traveling as long as it didn't mean crossing tall, scary bridges. She once made everyone sing while crossing the Skyway Bridge going into Tampa/St Pete. Unfortunately, she wasn't comforted when they picked "I'll Fly Away" as the car reached the highest point. She ended up taking her 23rd sea cruise just before she passed away. 

 Jill was an avid fan of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. She even kept elaborate databases about each player. She often tracked the players after they left the team. 

 Jill is survived by her husband, Kelly; her son Scott Salzer (Tracy), and 3 daughters, Shelly Hammack (John), Sujana Jessup (Kevin), and Serena West (Mark). Also included are her stepson, Kevin Byrne (Ashley) and Sarah Beresford (Doug). Her extended family was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. 

 A memorial service celebrating Jill's life will be held April 18, 11:00 a.m. at Peace River Baptist Church, 478 Berry Street, Punta Gorda, FL. In lieu of flowers, Jill would love contributions to her favorite missionary in Liberia, Bill Brittain. Make the check out to the church and put Bill Brittain on the memo line.