Jill Helen Bailey, age 57, passed away January 18, 2022, at home, in hospice, in Bow, Washington, in the arms of her loving husband, after a courageous 2 ½ year battle with brain cancer (GBM). She was born September 18, 1964, in Midland, Michigan to Dean Irwin and Janet Joyce (Launstein) Bailey.
Although a resident of Washington State for over 30 years, Jill was a Michigan girl at heart. Most summers included 2–3-week vacations in Traverse City and later, Lowell, MI, visiting her parents, relatives and friends; beach time was always a priority. She was also a committed United Methodist Christian, in the Bailey tradition, and regularly attended many congregations wherever she resided.
Jill touched and impacted the lives of many hundreds of children and their parents as a teacher for 32 years, before being forced into early retirement by her cancer diagnosis in 2019. She earned her B.S. in Education in 1987 from Central Michigan University and an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Western Washington University in 1996. She was dedicated and took her vocation very seriously, always striving to educate each student in her classroom based on their individual needs and goals, drawing on her particular experience in Reading, Special Education, and Emotionally Impaired disciplines, primarily in the 2nd grade. She had a talent for organization, an enthusiastic, no-nonsense approach to learning, while at the same time maintaining a positive, fun, and rewarding classroom atmosphere.
Her many interests included fitness, running, cycling, hiking, camping, reading, and travel. An early interest in climbing took her to New Zealand and Ecuador, and eventually to the Pacific Northwest. As a teacher in DoDDS in Germany, she was able to travel all over Europe, eventually returning with her family for memorable vacations in Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, UK, Ireland, and Sweden. In between travels abroad were summer trips to many national parks in the West and Southwest. She also loved animals, and a home with Jill was seldom without a pet rabbit, cat, or dog(s) (usually, all of the above). But her passion was for horses, and she loved to ride English and compete in Hunter/Jumping events, owning several horses over the years, as time (and finances) allowed (her father, Pastor Bailey, in a sermon, once remarked, “Jill saved her babysitting money and bought her own horse, at age 13 –and we’ve been paying for it ever since..!”).
She loved her children fiercely, her high school sweetheart husband of 22 years unreservedly, and was a true, loyal, and honest friend. Her determination to live and experience life to the fullest despite her cancer and treatment was a community inspiration, and she initiated and collaborated on the installation of an outdoor gravel and masonry labyrinth on the grounds of Edison Elementary School to provide students, as she put it, “…a place to be centered and slow down,” which she found calming and helpful in coping with her own recovery; it will be a lasting legacy.
Her thick, auburn hair, tourmaline eyes, and bright, beautiful smile will be remembered, and missed, always.
Jill is survived by her husband, Edward Erich Nus; sons, Tommy Dean Bailey-Chisholm, Callan Tod Bailey Nus and Samuel Scott Bailey Nus; grandson, Carson Michael Allen; brothers, Glenn Loral Bailey and Tod Irwin Bailey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dean and Janet.
A Funeral Service for close friends and family will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Mount Vernon, WA, 1:00, Saturday, February 5, 2022. A Memorial Service to include the community will be held later in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations can go to, Crossroads Urban Center, 347 South 400 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Share your memories of Jill and sign the online guest register.
Jill was a wonderful person who made such a positive difference in the lives of so many people, young and old, in this world. She was always such a strong advocate for her students. Deepest condolences to family and friends! Jill will not be forgotten by the many who she touched.
Sending my condolence to family. So sorry for your loss. Jill was so sweet. I remember her first horse, she wanted to be in my dad’s 4-H club, Lowell satellite club. Those were the best days back then. Sending prayers and hugs 🙏🤗🙏🤗.
We fondly remember the parsonage family of Dean and Jan Bailey, including the kids. I worked for Dean in the office and became very close to the family. Jill was the cute little sister who was so good about playing with our then toddler, Travis. Jan and the family even watched him for several days when I attended a conference and Rick had a heavy construction work schedule to keep.
We are sending our love and comfort to the whole Bailey family. Rest in peace, dear Jill.
I will never forget my wonderful Aunt Jill and her passion for life. I am so proud to be her nephew. This loss is immeasurable and particularly difficult, but I find some comfort in the knowledge that she has finally been reunited with our beloved Grandma and Grandpa Bailey and is no longer in pain. For that, I am thankful. I’ll be thankful for Jill Bailey everyday of my life. She was a very bright light to so many. Truly one of a kind. Rest In Peace, Auntie. Until we meet again. ❤️
Our sincere condolences to Erich, Callan, and Sam. Although we only managed to meet with you two times here in Germany, we instantly bonded and looked so forward to spending more time together in the future. We are deeply saddened by Jill’s passing, but we will remember her like we knew her and like the photograph depicts her: beautiful, happy, and enjoying life.
I am recalling a story from Vicksburg, Michigan, United Methodist Church, where I came to know Jill’s parents when I was a teenager and Dean was the pastor. Jill’s mom told the story to my mom. Janet was sitting in the pew with her kids, keeping them in line. In the pew ahead of them was an older woman with a mink boa — the fur pieces that consisted of two skins of minks, with at least one head with glass eyes, “jaws” clamped onto the fur piece around the woman’s neck. Jill eyed that mink head. Janet watched her daughter warily. Suddenly, Jill’s finger shot out — POKE!– she pinged that mink’s face. I don’t recall what the owner did. But her mom had to tell the story. My mom loved to retell it. Jill was always so full of life.
We are so so sorry. Did not know jill, but we’re parishoners at central methodist church in traverse city and our girls were in the choir and Jan and Dean changed our lives, so I know they are rejoicing with Jill now. They were so kind to us “wierdos”…..so accepting and loving. Prayers to all…..if you ever visit our town, please look us up and I will make you cookies…..the bailey’s liked them!
Erich,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Anyone who met Jill could not help but feel her strength of spirit. I hope you find solace in the grace she had and continues to have for those who knew her.