Jill Leslie Sime
Obituary

Jill Leslie Sime, 60, of Hinsdale, IL passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 in San Diego, CA after a hard fought battle with cancer.  Our world feels a little quieter without her humor and big heart.  Jill leaves behind a legacy of laughter, warmth, and the kind of attention to detail that made everyone in her life feel special.

Jill was born on Wednesday, September 15, 1965 but preferred her chosen birthdate of 9/25.  She was the youngest of three daughters of John Sime & Arlene Bowland.  Jill was good at showing those around her that she cared; it was especially heaped upon her dad, mom, sisters Jennifer Hartman and Robyn Sopocy, and their families.

Jill graduated from Lyons Township HS in 1983 and attended Arizona State University.  If you knew Jill, you were truly blessed!  You also experienced her laugh. It was the kind of infectious, full-bodied sound that would fill a room—usually punctuated by an accidental snort that made her and everyone else laugh harder. She was famous for fully embracing fun, always game for anything.  Jill had an amazing smile that instantly brought one to your face.  She had a gift.

What truly set Jill apart was her "vault" of memories. She had a miraculous gift for remembering the tiny, funny details of the lives of those she loved. She was the one who would remind you of the hilarious thing you said five years ago, a specific “oopsie” on a vacation a decade ago or an embarrassing moment you’d hoped would be forgotten but were glad it wasn’t. To be with Jill meant having a personal historian of your funniest moments; she held onto the little things that everyone else forgot, bringing them back out just when you needed a reason to smile.

Jill spent several years at the front of Karma Salon.  In her role, Jill had this rare knack to immediately connect — she was the first person to greet you with a smile and the last to wish you a wonderful day.  She knew every client’s name, their favorite beverage, and their family goings on (with a spritz of gossip).  A simple phone call became a moment of genuine thoughtfulness and care.  She gained countless friendships built across that counter and the Karma staff were like family.

Many knew Jill as a professional "dog walker" and amateur mud-tracker.  She spent 10+ years being pulled down the street by dogs half her size—and wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.  Truly a master of the "pack walk," an expert in identifying breeds from a good block away, and a constant source of treats and belly rubs.  She knew every dog’s favorite sniffing spot and every owner’s favorite story.  We often thought Jill preferred the company of her four-legged “clients” than to some people : )

A celebration of Jill’s life will be held this July.  Details will be posted on Facebook and Instagram, or by reaching out to [email protected].  To honor Jill in the best way, the family hopes you will come with a story about Jill that makes us all laugh as hard as she did.  And, please bring your furry friends; Jill would want them to be a part of her celebration.

“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”                 2 Corinthians 4:16-18