Obituary
It is with deep sadness, I announce the passing of my wife Jill, age 55, on Sunday May 25, 2014 in Toronto. Loving wife of Steven Smirnis. Beloved daughter of the late Merlin “Pete” Tario and mother Loretta. Beloved sister of Brian(Kathy) Tario, Mary Lou(Paul) Sawyer, Judy(Cam) Croal, Allan(Jane) Tario, and Peter(Janice) Tario. Treasured aunt to many nieces and nephews. Jill was born in Pembroke, Ontario, a small town along the Ottawa river. She followed in the footsteps of her mother to pursue a nursing career and graduated in nursing from Algonquin College. She moved to Toronto and began a 28 year career at the Toronto Western Hospital. Beginning in bed side nursing; she then moved into managing general and internal medicine, then managing the cardiology and cath lab, and finally the emergency department. During which, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Ryerson University. Her primary focus remained with caring for the patients and comforting their families. Her dedication and passion as well as her leadership will remain part of her legacy. Jill had touched many hearts. She will be greatly missed. Special thanks to Dr. Jennifer Knox, Dr. James Brierley of Princess Margaret Hospital; Dr. Andrew Pierre of T.G.H.; and Dr. McLeod and her surgical team and I.C.U. at Mt. Sinai Hospital; and the staff at Kensington Hospice. Thank you for taking such great care of my wife and best friend during this difficult journey. I would also like to express my gratitude and appreciation to my niece Lindsay Croal and very good friend Vaska Jones for their great care they gave Jill. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to either: Princess Margaret Research Foundation, Mt. Sinai Hospital, or Kensington Hospice. Visitation will take place at Cardinal Funeral Home on Thursday May 29, 2014 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm. The Celebrated Mass will be held at 10:30am on Friday May 30, 2014 at St.Patrick’s Catholic Church, Toronto, 133 McCaul Street and Dundas St. Burial to follow at York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, Toronto(Yonge St. and Sheppard).Visitation
Date
May 29, 2014
May 29, 2014
Location
Time
Service
Date
May 30, 2014
May 30, 2014
Location
St. Patrick's Church, 133 McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1W3
St. Patrick's Church, 133 McCaul Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1W3
Time
10:30 AM
10:30 AM
Burial / Entombment / Cremation
Date
Location
York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5S5
York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Road, Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5S5
Time
March 31, 2016
I just found out about Jill. She and I worked at the TWH as Supervisors. We tried to compete to see who could be tanned the most in summers! Jill was an amazingly kind person and nurse. We lost touch after I left the Western but I never stopped remembering how much I enjoyed working with her and was happy when we were on the same shifts together.
May 30, 2014
To the Smirnis and Tario families
I want to tell you how sorry I was to read about Jill's passing, such a huge loss for all of you, her many friends and colleagues and maybe most important to Jill, so many patients and their families.
I am a former Director/Nurse manager at PMH and so enjoyed working with Jill.
I was so impressed when she went through her initial treatment and how she was always surrounded each visit, each appointment and every day by members of her family and support team. As someone who has no sisters I was so moved by the sisterhood team.
You all were an amazing support for her and she often expressed to me how grateful she was. She faced an incredible struggle with drive and determination which, for someone who works in the system and understood her disease and struggles, was incredibly inspiring.
I hope Jill and All of You found some well deserved peace and comfort at the end in the amazing Kensington Hospice.
Thinking of you all at this very sad time.
May 29, 2014
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss of this most beautiful and caring person. I knew Jill when she was a teenager in Pembroke and worked in our office for a summer. She was always smiling and willing to help regardless of the job. She will be truly missed by all who knew her. God needed another Angel in Heaven.
May 29, 2014
I am greatly saddened by Jill's passing.I am sorry that her battle with cancer was such a long and difficult one. Please find comfort that others feel your pain in losing her. In her work I know that she was a great comfort to those she cared for and the many lives that she touched. When I think of Jill I will remember a warm and friendly woman with sparkling blue eyes and a hearty laugh. It was a pleasure to have known her. Stephanie Croal
May 28, 2014
Steven, I went to grade school and high school with Jill here in Pembroke, Ontario. She was a special person and I and my family adored her. Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Gone too soon!!!
Marianne Clouthier
May 28, 2014
My condolences to you Steve on the loss of your wife Jill. May you find strength and comfort remembering all those cherished memories you had together.
With sympathy,
Georgena Bowles
May 28, 2014
Our deepest sympathy to you Steve on the loss of Jill. At this sad time may you find comfort and strength in the knowledge that there are others who care about your loss and are remembering you.
With deepest sympathy
Michael and Willa Elliot
May 28, 2014
My deepest condolences to Jills family. She will be sincerely missed by all at UHN. RIP Jill
May 27, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. She will be missed but is now in a better place.
Love Aunt Jill, Robert and Shelley Steele
May 27, 2014
Our deepest sympathy to you Steve. As very dear friends of Judy Cam and family I have had the pleasure of meeting Jill on various occasions. Such a wonderful person and I know everyone will greatly miss her.
