Nancy Jill Thames

 “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for you, and with my song I praise him. Psalms 28:7”

Nancy Jill Thames, known by her family and friends as “Jill,” went to be with her heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 24th. Jill is survived by her two brothers, Hank and Jeff, husband Ted, four children, Wendy, Mark, Michael and Holly, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Jill loved others as much as herself and loved living life to the fullest. As a recognized independent author of eleven cozy murder mysteries and several other short stories, Jill had recently finished her last work, The Wedding Vase, which will go into editing and publishing this year. 

Jill was a natural born planner, creative, and the world’s best wife, mother and grandma. From being the life of the party during the holidays to hosting fun filled Summer camps and activity days with her grandchildren, Jill saw the best in every situation and in every person.

She loved to read, host formal tea parties, cook for her husband and play the piano every chance that she had. Her books are a reflection of what she considers “The Good Life”.

Instead of cursing, she chose to praise. Instead of condemning, she chose to lift up. Instead of criticizing, she chose to compliment, and instead of comparing she chose to be content.

In her own words “God has blessed me beyond even my wildest imagination, always guiding my life, giving me a loving husband, four wonderful children, seven precious grandchildren and one great grandchild. “

Jill earned her BA degree in music from the University of Texas at Austin. She taught piano pedagogy, was a church music director, and served in her children's PTAs as president and secretary. 

In 2010, she published her first mystery Murder in Half Moon Bay, introducing her well-loved protagonist Jillian Bradley and her clue-sniffing Yorkie “Teddy.”

The world has lost a great soul and bright light that has left shadows that must now be illuminated by others.

In the worlds of Pericles of ancient Athens, “what we leave behind is not what is carved into stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others”.

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