Katherine Hillary Jones

Katherine Hillary Jones, age 35, passed away on February 15, 2026. Born on March 28, 1990, Katherine filled her years with music, dedication, compassion, and quiet strength.

From a very young age, Katherine's life was defined by her deep love of music. She studied piano and voice for more than a decade, developing a remarkable talent that would shape much of her life. She participated in the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus, was a member of the Young Naperville Singers, and sang with the NCC Children's Choir (now New Covenant Church) directed by Gretchen Canfield. Each year, her performance of O Holy Night became a cherished tradition.

Her summers were often spent sharing her gift of song at Eagle River First Congregational Church in Wisconsin. In 2003, she appeared as a nun in The Sound of Music at Pfeiffer Hall. In 2005, she was featured by the Naperville Central High School Choir as a special soloist. Her talent continued to flourish as she took a vocal master class at Joliet Junior College and earned First Place honors from the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), Chicago Chapter, from 2005 through 2008.

Katherine's accomplishments were many. In 2006, she participated in the Benet Academy Honors Recital. In 2007, she sang the National Anthem for the Naperville Police Department's 15th Annual Recognition Dinner, attended Interlochen, received the Prairie State Achievement Award, earned Second Place as a North Park University Classical Singer, and performed in two senior year recitals-one at North Central College's Koten Chapel and one at NCC Church. That same year, she won First Place at the Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College.

A graduate of Naperville Central High School's Class of 2008, Katherine was a National Merit Scholar, an Illinois State Scholar (2008–2009), and a proud member of the German Club and Naperville Summer Place musicals. In 2008, she was featured on the WFMT radio program Introductions. She studied piano with Elvina Pearce from 1997 to 2006 and with Kathy Christian in 2008. Her voice teacher was Linda Ogden Hagen from 2001 to 2007.

Beyond music, Katherine lived a life of service and enthusiasm. She worked as a lifeguard at the YMCA and was a dedicated swimmer with the Naperville Mudrats at Centennial Beach, where she often sang the National Anthem before swim meets. She treasured her experience, through Wheaton College's HoneyRock Camp, traveling to the Boundary Waters in Canada.

Katherine later earned her Insurance License and was employed by Teleperformance/USAA and lived in Florida for many years before making her final residence in Lincoln Park, Illinois. She had a tender heart for animals and lovingly adopted many cats throughout her life.

She found joy in arranging flowers, kayaking, fishing, cooking, reading, and creating crafts. Her warmth, intelligence, and artistic spirit touched all who knew her.

Katherine is survived by her loving parents, Robert Jones and Beth Jones (née Hillenbrand); her brother, Daniel Jones; and her aunt, Karen Jones (née Parker). She is also survived by her cousins, Libby Cree (née Jones) and Brian Jones; her uncle, Captain Ted Carlson, U.S. Navy; and many extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Ruth Jones (née Davis), Donald Jones, Betty Hillenbrand (née Jacobson), and Robert Hillenbrand; her uncle, John Jones; her aunt, Ashleyann Carlson (née Hillenbrand); and her great-grandmother, Edith Jacobson (née Hagen); her great uncle Joseph Boerner and great aunt Helen Boerner (née Hillenbrand).

Katherine's beautiful voice may now be silent, but the music she shared and the love she gave will resonate in the hearts of those who knew her for generations to come.