Obituaries

Jill Edwards Dickens, 82, of St, Charles, IL, and Fontana, WI, passed away December 5, 2023. The daughter of George and Carol Edwards, Jill was born in Elgin on January 10, 1941.

Mrs. Dickens earned her bachelor’s degree in early education from National Lewis University. On July 12, 1963, she married Thomas Wolff Dickens, who was a lifelong resident of St. Charles, where they raised their two children.

Jill’s passions were children, music and playing the piano. She was an elementary school teacher, music teacher, church organist and piano teacher throughout her life. She was an avid supporter of music.  She was a founding member of the American Grands and served on the board of the St. Charles Art & Music Festival and Elgin Choral Union. She was honored with a commissioned piece composed in her honor by the American Grands Committee for her many years of service.  Jill’s other interests included sewing, miniatures and playing tennis. Her biggest and truest passion was being Grammy to her four grandsons.

She is survived by her son, David (Lynn) Dickens of Hudson, Ohio; daughter, Deborah “Daisy” Collins of Fontana, Wisconsin; grandchildren, Blake Dickens, Hunter Collins, Colin Dickens and Alec Dickens; Sisters Holly Fuchs and Gale Unterberg and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her Husband, Thomas Dickens, parents George Peck and Carol Bates Edwards, two sisters, Patricia Edwards and Deborah Orr, brother-in-law, John Dickens, and Ronald Fuchs, and nephew, Matthew Dickens.

A celebration of life has been planned for January 6, 2024 at St. Charles Country Club from 1-3pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to support Northwestern Medicine’s Musical Bridges to Memory program may be made to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, PO Box 734985, Chicago, Illinois 60673-4985. Please make checks payable to “Northwestern Memorial Foundation” and include Jill Dickens in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at foundation.nm.org or over the phone at (833) 443-8663.

• Send Flowers
• Guest Book
• Share
• Email
• Print