Amazing things do occur in life. can vouch for that. In 1961. I began my medical education

at the university of NSW, where had the great fortune of meeting James, a fellow student. In

that same year, James and Jill became friends and subsequently lovers. Through James got

to know Jill well. was most fortunate that Jill liked me and trusted my judgement. James

I and I often had useful and friendly discussions about medical and other topics. Not to let

James win his arguments all the time, Jill would often side with me. In order to please Jill

James would have no choice but to let me have my way. How lucky can you get! To top it all,

I earned the distinct and unique honour of being the best man at their wedding 55 years ago.

When Jill became ill over 15 years ago, James's love for, and devotion to, his wife were quite

evident. He has made many sacrifices in order to provide Jill with the utmost comfort and

loving care, despite the very difficult last two years due to the COVID pandemic.

Jill's and James's family have been most helpful and supportive and together they gave her

the best of care. As a superb educator, wife, mother and grandmother, Jill has done much to

better the lives of others. She was compassionate to all people, irrespective of their

background, always looking out for the less fortunate and had great work ethics will stop her

high moral standards are particularly beneficial to her children and grandchildren, who follow

her example and become wonderful individuals. Like everyone else who is fortunate enough

to have known her. I will miss Jill greatly but will always remember her smile, her beauty,

her sincerity, her friendliness and helpfulness.

May she rest in peace. My deepest sympathy to James and the family

Henry Moks

Happy memories

Delicious homemade focaccia and other sustaining food was always provided by Jill for hungry Venturer Scouts at Out of Focus and other events.

Her pithy letters to the Editor on social and environmental issues were persuasive.

There was always a warm welcome at the Isbisters and I marvelled at Jill’s serenity as so many people participated in so many activities. They even added our Tim to the mix for many weeks while we travelled overseas. Thank you, Jill. You were inspiring.

Nancy and Rob Pallin

I met Jill in 2015 , and through her, a friendship developed that will be long lasting. Jill, like my partner Kevin lived life to the full, despite the burden of Alzheimers in the last ten years of their lives.

When I met Jill and gradually got to know her through long conversations with James, I felt a strong connection as I observed the strength of the love that encircled and protected her, enabling a dignified and peaceful ending to a wonderfully productive life as a partner, mother and teacher.

Patsy Payne

My family and I have such strong memories of Jill’s open and welcoming heart, that enriched so

many parts of her life that we knew of. It’s such a loss for you all. I’m so glad to have known her, and

to have been able to have been able to share some of those parts – like scout activities, family

camps, education, and chatting about life in general. I keep remembering Jill’s positivity and

laughter, and that’s something that she was so free with.

I look forward to joining the livestream, and send our love to everyone.

Mark Carey

As a teenager I spent a lot of time at Jill and James house in Lindfield. I

always felt very welcome and was treated as part of the family. Jill was

amazing I don’t know how she kept her sense of humour when Jamie and I

were doing things like testing explosives in their backyard or setting fire to the

neighbour’s tree.

John Walker

Jill Isbister the indefatigable Jill, firstly a warm thoughtful intelligent caring

human. Many random pictures come to mind, at the much enjoyed annual

Scout Family Camp on Lake Macquarie where sailing became the passion for

many families and Jill IMMERSED HERSELF to the limit.

My mind goes to St Davids, and Jills contribution there especially in her

caring effective leadership of the very large Sunday School, many lived were

influenced for good by Jill.

Jill was always a very giving person, and her parenting skills (along with

James) are evident for all to see by examining the family they nurtured and led

by example. you are all indeed blessed to have been born to her.

And now she has moved on — Jill - who always was - and is - and always

will be an eternal being, has left us for a while and moved to her next

adventure. May you all rejoice in her new freedom and continue to live to

honour her influence on you.

John Meredith

I was so sad to hear about Jill’s passing. I am so thankful for the impact

she has had on my life, especially as a teacher. I feel incredibly fortunate to

have started my teaching career with her as my supervisor. I am currently

supervising six teachers, including two new graduates and I can only hope

that I might inspire them in the same way that Jill inspired me.

As a young teacher, I observed that Jill loved being a teacher because she

loved children. I learned from her to look at children and notice what they

could do, rather than what they couldn’t do. I have found this to be

transformative and empowering for children because their experiences,

knowledge and understanding are valued in the classroom.

I shared a love of children’s literature with Jill and I am thankful that, like

me, she believed that children could learn to read without using boring

levelled readers. It’s a battle I still fight. Jill introduced me to The Stinky

Cheese Man by Jon Scieszka and Spooner or Later by Paul Jennings,

Terry Denton and Ted Greenwood. I still love these books and use

them with children when I can. She fostered my love for Anthony Browne

and his amazingly detailed illustrations and the Ahlberg’s – in particular,

their novel, Ten in a Bed. I remember her collection of children’s picture

books. I aspired to have a collection like hers and I think nearly thirty years

later I’m almost there! I love buying books. I love children’s literature. A love

that Jill helped to foster.

I am at exactly the same stage of life that Jill was at when I started

teaching. She had just turned 50 and her youngest two children were

finishing school. I now know how busy this stage of life is. I had no idea

back then! And yet, she was dedicated to her work, generous with her time.

I loved her andI loved working with her. I hoped that one day I could be like

her. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to work alongside her for six

years at Tempe Public School. That experience has had a lasting impact

on me both professionally and personally.

I was overwhelmed with sadness on hearing of Jill’s passing.She was my

friend and such a guiding light in my family’s Lindfield, Killara years. She was

one of those Unsung Heroes who quietly make such impact on those around

them.  In this case our Linfield community. I thank her for her inspired

commitment to music programs at Lindfield Dem. Killara High and Combined

State  schools Music Ensembles and involvement with Scouts and

Adventurers which provided great outdoor experiences and challenges in

those uneasy teenage years Also her strength and belief in State education in

the face of so much opposition.Then there was her love for teaching and the

wonderful Approach to reading through Children’s Literature which she

advocated and promoted with such success at multicultural schools such as

Auburn State school.

I must now farewell a friend I was so fortunate to have had and to celebrate

with those who knew her  her legacy.  ——- the passionate values and

dedication to creating a more equal beautiful world through music, education

and love of nature. The evidence of this legacy is there to see in the family

created by James and Jill - all of you impressive in your own way.,also

touched were my children of whom I am so proud.

Farewell Jill, your memory will remain forever in our hearts.

Karen Brock Gerald Ben and Lucy

I really can’t say anything that you haven’t heard from others.

Your  mother was an intelligent, clever funny kind generous woman . I

admired her and wished I could have been lucky enough to teach with her. I

know I would have learnt a lot to benefit children.

Goodbye lovely Jill.

Pamela Duffin

My beautiful sister Jill, whose courage as a trailblazer many people will remember and celebrate, but

my strongest memories are of a big sister who encouraged me to take risks…from pushing me

through the big waves in the surf; mastering windsurfing at Myall Lakes and supporting me when

making life changing decisions.

 

Jill offered her love, guidance and compassion unconditionally.  She guided her family with the

utmost integrity and strong commitment to her beliefs and life values, which was further an example

to many more family and friends.  She was never afraid to speak up when she knew it was the right

thing to do. 

 

Jill had the most infectious smile and twinkle in her eye…she loved life and gave great joy to many

when she was sharing her home and generous hospitality.  

 

Go well in peace and with the love of many my beautiful sister.

Jan (The Sommer Family)

Happy memories

Delicious homemade focaccia and other sustaining food was always provided by Jill for hungry

Venturer Scouts at Out of Focus and other events.

Her pithy letters to the Editor on social and environmental issues were persuasive.

There was always a warm welcome at the Isbisters and I marvelled at Jill’s serenity as so many

people participated in so many activities.  They even added our Tim to the mix for many weeks while

we travelled overseas.  Thank you, Jill.  You were inspiring.

Our first encounter with Jill, James and family was at Blagdon Court, Hanwell

in London in 1973. Since that era we and our offspring have had many

memorable times together - exploits and adventures in which Jill was ever the

inventive initiator! Her warmth, humanity and spontaneity are aspects that we

will all truly miss and we hope that James and family will have the strength to

bear their great loss.

Eamon & Eilish Sweeney, Dublin.

we met at Port Moresby General Hospital in early 1973 when PNG was still an Australian Territory.

Our families practically amalgamated around the United Church in Boroko, the hospital,

communities organisations and social occasions. Sauni was heavily pregnant with our son David and 

Jill was a great help and confidant as David was delivered by caesarean section. Jill and James

acceded to our request to be Godparents at the historic Ella Church in Port Moresby.

Although I only got to know Jill in the last six years, it didn’t take long to realise

the beautiful, caring, loving lady Jill was.  I loved her smile, I loved the

relationship between mostly James and Jill, but the love of her children and

grandchildren was evident with the way her face would just light up when any

of her family visited.  A major hole has been left in your beautiful family, but

the legacy Jill has left with each and everyone of you can never be taken

away.  A beautiful lady, she will forever remain in your hearts, her confusion is

now cleared and she is now smiling down on you all.

Narelle Nicholson

Dear James,

We are so sorry to hear of Jill's passing, but so glad we were able to spend

some lovely time with you both in Australia and Scotland. It must have been

so hard for you during the Covid restrictions. Elspeth and I are on an Art

course in Scotland at the moment, so may not be able to tune in to the

service. I remember Jill showing us how to do Aboriginal art with the coloured

rocks at Bundara. Thank you for those lovely memories of a beautiful place.I

am looking at my sketch book as I write this. I'll see if I can attach some

photos of the sketches I made. Remember the rusty container!!

Love to you all

Angela Isbister xx

Jill was such a huge part of my early life. She was my godmother and I loved

her. I still have the white leather (with very fancy gold edged paper) bible she

and James gave me at my christening 52 years ago! Thinking about all our

years of friendship with the Isbister still makes me smile and feel happy.

I wrote this last night (below). I hope this is something you can include.

Unfortunately, my Dad, Peter Court, has very advanced dementia but he

would be so sad about this news if he could understand. My Mum (who died

13 years ago) and Dad loved Jill and James so much.

I will attend the funeral via livestream tomorrow. I only wish I could travel to

Canberra from Sydney to be there in person to celebrate Jill’s life.

On behalf of all the Courts, I send love and hugs at this sad time, whilst

celebrating the life of Jill who was so wonderful, caring, and much-loved.

Warm regards,

Nicky

To my amazing Aunty Lizzy who was always there for me and happy to share

her family, home and focaccia bread whenever we visited 

You were an inspiration to your profession and helped so many children

discover the love of reading (including me)

Thank you for always challenging me to play life to my own tune and seeing

the ‘big picture’ of the world 

Love you and miss you

Michael