She was born February 22, 1962 in Chicago, to Gordon and Sharon (Tanis) Peterson. She married Todd L. McDonald on October 5, 1996 and lived in the DeKalb/Sycamore area since 1978.

Jill worked at Microsolutions Inc. for many years as an accountant after graduating with her associates degree from Kishwaukee College. She also worked at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Sycamore as a fundraising coordinator. Her true passion, however, was being a homemaker and mother of two boys. Jill was dedicated to her Bible Study Fellowship group and Christ Community Church, where she attended for the past 6 years.

She was an advocate for the arts, and loved supporting her children in live theatre and countless musical performances. Jill made it a priority, even in her final years, to support live performances at Stagecoach Players in DeKalb. Her favorite activities were always outdoors and in nature. Jill was an avid hiker, runner, kayaker, and beachgoer. Her love of being on the water started at a very young age, living next to Lake Dalecarlia in Lowell, IN.

Jill was a lover of everything fun and happy. She loved going on vacations to her favorite spots in Door County, WI with her family. In her final months, she was dedicated to continuing these travel traditions and enjoyed her final days by the waters of Green Bay. Jill had a countless number of friends, caretakers, and supporters that were so faithful to her until the end of her cancer battle. The family is humbled by their generosity and unconditional love.

Jill is survived by her two boys, Trevor and Sam, her husband Todd, her parents Gordon and Sharon (Plainfield, IL), her parents in-law Caryl and Ned McDonald (DeKalb), her sister Jennifer Dunaway (San Diego, CA), her sister-in-law Amy McDonald Enderle  (Westmont, IL), and her aunt Carol Jensen (Lowell, IN).

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents Florence and Cornelius "Bud" Tanis (Chicago, IL), her uncle Terry Tanis (Merrillville, IN), her uncle Roger Peterson (Enid, OK), her aunt and uncle Dale and Jim Riemersma (Evergreen Park, IL), her uncle Robert Peterson (Lynnwood, WA), and her aunt Irene Wohlfarth (Evergreen Park, IL).

A visitation will be on Saturday,  February 20, 2021 at Christ Community Church, 2350 Pride Ave., DeKalb, IL. starting at 9:00 am and ending at 12:00 pm. Space is limited.

Memorial contributions can be made to the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation online at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/vapg8-theres-no-place-like-hope

Arrangements were completed by the Butala Funeral Home and Crematory of Sycamore.   To sign the online guest book or write a special memory, go to www.butalafuneralhomes.com