Jill Lovett Goodall

Jill Lovett Goodall 1960 2021 Jill Goodall, a longtime resident of San Rafael, died peacefully on January 16 in Orange County, where she had been convalescing after several months of declining health. She was 60. Jill was born with Down syndrome at a time when children with this condition were often expected to lead short, sheltered lives. Jill's parents, though, and Jill herself, were determined that her life would be vibrant and fulfilling, and that is exactly the kind of life she led for six decades. Born in Palo Alto in 1960, Jill moved to San Rafael with her family in 1965. She attended public schools in Marin, graduating from San Rafael High School in 1980. While in school, she was active in sports and participated in many Special Olympics events at the local, state, national and international levels. She was particularly fond of swimming, and remained active in competitive swimming throughout her life. She was also an enthusiastic bowler and practiced every Saturday with the Marin County Special Olympics team. As an adult, Jill became an accomplished artist. She was a weaver at the Textile Arts Collaborative in San Rafael and a painter and jewelry maker at the Fine Arts Studio in San Anselmo, both operated by Cedars. Her pieces were frequently exhibited at the Artist Within Gallery in San Anselmo. Jill had a ready smile and a generous heart, and she loved to meet new people. She had a wide circle of friends throughout the county and a very busy social calendar. In addition to her extensive activities with Cedars and Special Olympics, she participated in the Larkspur Champions Lions Club, the annual rafting trips in Oregon sponsored by the Rogue River Institute, and many other activities. From her apartment in Terra Linda, where she lived independently, she was often out and about in the community, and she never missed the Marin County Fair every July, or the tree lighting ceremony on 4th Street every November. Jill was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Lois Goodall of San Rafael. She is survived by her siblings, Greg (Melinda) of Los Angeles, Grant (Armando) of San Diego, and Lisa (Robert) of San Juan Capistrano; and by her nieces Laura, Melissa, Marissa, Cailin and Olivia. A celebration of Jill's life will be held on Zoom on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. Request details at ggoodall@ucsd.edu. Contributions in Jill's memory may be made to Cedars, www.cedarslife.org.