Jill Kimpson

Family and close friends are sad to announce the passing of Jillian Frances Kimpson who died peacefully on May 12, 2025 at the Canmore Hospital, following a lengthy illness with chronic lung disease.

Jill will be missed by her son, Joss Elford and his partner Aaryn Dobson and Jill’s cherished granddaughters Brynn and Eva Elford. She is also survived by her siblings, Sally Kimpson (Greg Mittag) of Victoria, Molly Charko (Mark Conzelman) and her daughter Meredith of Oakville Ontario, brother Joe Kimpson and sister Corey Kimpson, both from Cambridge, Ontario.

Jill is predeceased by her mother, Catherine May Wainhouse, father Dennis Joseph Kimpson, stepfather Warren Samuel Jackman, and cousin Anne Campbell.

Jill was born in Toronto, spending the first 4 years of her life on the beautiful Toronto Island. Her early years were shaped by her family’s close connection to the sailing community, fostering in her a deep appreciation for nature, water and the joys of outdoor life. Her family later moved into the city, followed by teenage years in Clarkson Ontario.

Inspired by a sense of adventure, Jill followed her sister Sally west to Tod Mountain (now Sun Peaks) near Kamloops BC, where she discovered a love for skiing and the joy of mountain life that would stay with her always. It was there she met Greg Elford, and the couple made their way to Canmore, a place that Jill would come to love deeply. The rugged mountains and close-knit community of Canmore became her home, and she would spend the rest of her life surrounded in the beauty of these beloved mountains.

During Jill’s life in Canmore she worked for the Town of Canmore and in various roles in the service industry. Her career eventually led her to managing the Alberta social services unit at the provincial building in Canmore. While working full time Jill traveled twice weekly to Calgary to study at Mount Royal University where she proudly earned her Diploma in Social Work. Her commitment to lifelong learning and service was a reflection of her deep determination to better herself and the lives of others.

Jill cherished precious time spent on weekends and after school with Brynn and Eva making cookies, reading books and colouring, joyful moments that created lasting memories and deep, loving bonds.

Jill had many passions and one of her greatest was her love of gardening. She took pride in expertly growing vegetables and flowers. She extended this love into her community by volunteering at the Canmore Hospital where she enhanced the hospital gardens.

Jill had a deep love of and appreciation for good food, and was an accomplished cook.

Curling was also a passion on the ice, and later as an avid armchair curler always cheering her favourite teams, especially her favourite player Rachel Homan.

There was always a jigsaw puzzle on the table in Jill’s home. And she always welcomed guests.

If you had ever received a birthday wish from Jill it was always created with a "Roses are Red" poem.

Roses are red, violets are blue

Jill's heart was kind, her love always true.

She baked with joy, she gardened with grace,

And brought gentle light

To every place.

Mountains she cherished, skies wide and clear,

With granddaughters laughing, always near.

Though she's now gone, her spirit lives on,

In warm cookies baked, and each mountain dawn.

A gathering to celebrate Jill’s life will be held at the Canmore legion on Sunday, July 6th at 2:00PM. Donations in memory of Jill may be made to the Canmore Hospital Foundation.