In Loving Memory :
Margaret Monica Jill Prendergast
April 18th, 1937 – May 7th, 2018
… Vibrant to the end !
A Crescent Heights Gymnast & Miss Calgary runner-up, Jill Verdi married a Calgary Stampeder football player, raised 3 children with un-conditional love ( and many a puppy too ). Jill dedicated herself, not only to Her children, but to all Her family.
She debuted the Calgary Drift Races, instructed Aerobics Fitness classes (even before before Jane Fonda). Jill was the Head Judge for Canadian Women’s Gymnastics for a period, and dedicated Her career to the Alberta Gymnastics Federation. Among Her activities : Jill skied, snow-shoed and walked the paths of Calgary City and Provincial Parks. She was a keen adept, right to the end, of yoga, line-dancing, and skating ( Jill skated at Optimist Arena with her oxygen tank at 80 ). She loved Her garden and bird feeders. Up ’till recently, She volunteered as a Bluebird Nesting watcher along the Millarville roads.
A society lady without pretensions, Jill could always recognize anyone with qualities of heart. Her many friendships spanned the social kaleidoscope and often endured for a lifetime. Unbending in honesty, fidelity & integrity, She shared, helped and gave to others. She grieved the loss of a daughter. Family and Friends feel nothing but gratitude and privilege to have been graced by Her presence in our lives.
For a True Lady … We All Cry!
Published in The Calgary Herald on May 23, 2018
Jill was always ready with a smile at the registration table of the many AGF events over the years. She was patient and kind in all any instance I ever had the pleasure to talk with her be it over the phone with many questions for AGF or in person. RIP Jill.