Jill L. Feldman

Jill L. Feldman, deeply loved and adored by family and friends, passed away on December 27, 2015 at the age of 42.  Jill was born on February 15, 1973, and grew up in Dartmouth, MA.  She is predeceased by her beloved brother Seth and father Sidney.  Jill leaves behind her mother, Bonnie, her husband of 12 years Tim McAndrew, and her young son August “Gus” McAndrew – all of whom she fiercely loved.

Jill attended and loved Duke University, where she majored in Anthropology and excelled as a student and friend to many.  She spent the next few years in New York City, working in publishing and prison reform.  Her deep commitment to helping those with less led her to Harvard Law School, after which she practiced and taught civil rights law.  Jill’s interests were wide and varied: she consumed books voraciously, was addicted to her favorite tv shows; loved to exercise (yoga and dance!), and always enjoyed a good meal and ice cream. Jill’s love of movement led her to Nia, a form of dance that she practiced and eventually taught with joy to others.

Above all else, Jill loved to be with her loved ones. She and her husband Tim were happy doing anything… as long as it was together.  When she and Tim adopted Gus, she threw herself into motherhood – taking Gus on walks, to play dates and classes, and pouring her love into him.  Jill was devoted to her family – the one into which she was born, and the one she created with Tim. For Jill, family was ever-widening as she made, kept, and grew deep friendships throughout her life.  She naturally reached out to others, and in turn people were always drawn to her intelligence, warm and caring spirit, incredibly wise advice and perspectives, and an intense inner beauty that she always expressed through her radiant smile and rollicking laughter. Jill inspired everyone she touched just by being herself.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 10:30am at Tifereth Israel Congregation, 145 Brownell Ave., New Bedford, with burial at Tifereth Israel Cemetery, Old Plainville Rd., New Bedford.  Shiva visitation will be held at her mother’s residence Wednesday following the interment until 4pm, and again 7-9pm, Thursday 10am-12pm and 2-4:30pm, and Friday 1-3pm. Visitation hours will continue at Jill’s home north of Boston on Sunday from 10am-12pm and 3:30-5:30pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jill’s memory may be made to The Lindelil Fund at Jewish Family and Children’s Services; contact Betsy Hochberg at (617) 332-2218 or www.adoptionresources.org.