Help Jill Save Her Home After the Sudden Loss of her Husband

Many of you know that for the last few years Ian and I have spent our Saturday mornings on video chat with Ian's sister, Jill, and her husband, Jack, in Norway. We are not just family, we are the closest of friends, and so grateful for the technology that has made it possible for us to have been able to spend that time together over the years, despite being on separate continents!

Jack and Jill left Canada to work in international schools as teachers, at first, and then as administrators. They have both devoted their lives to teaching kids, as well as helping the staff at the schools they have been involved in. It is their passion, and they are both gifted at it. Jack finished his last years, before retirement, as a counselor. His love and compassion for all people really shined in this role. Then in retirement, he remained involved as a steady listener and confidante for Jill, as she continued on at their latest post in Stavanger. Even as he faced multiple health challenges, Jack kept a positive outlook. He was always ready to tell a joke, share a story, and have a meaningful conversation.

Both Jack and Jill had difficult and unfulfilling long-term relationships. When they found each other, they said it was clear to them that they were soulmates, it was like finding that one missing piece in the puzzle! Married for 29 years, they traveled the world together, exploring, learning and educating, touching a multitude of lives as they went. After settling in Stavanger, they both worked at the International School of Stavanger. In 2018, Jack was diagnosed with some debilitating arthritis that ruined his knees, forcing retirement, and eventually causing him to lose one of his legs. Jill and he forged on, Jill assuming the role of Jack’s full-time caregiver, while continuing her rewarding, but still demanding position as Principal of the Early Childhood and Primary Schools.

Sadly, Jack suddenly passed away in his sleep on April 27. Not only is Jill devastated by the loss of her best friend and love of her life, it turns out that Norway has VERY different inheritance laws than we do in North America. This has put Jill in a tremendously vulnerable financial position. Jill has already depleted their savings to pay the required funeral expenses and ongoing legal fees to settle the estate. Our hearts break for Jill at the difficult and unavoidable position she is in, one that could ultimately force her out of the home she and Jack owned. We care for each other, and want to support each other as close family members, but we find as a family, we need external help with this new unexpected financial situation so I'm reaching out to you, my community for that help.

Despite Jill supporting Jack, and being his recognized caregiver, the inheritance laws of Norway still require that Jack’s estate be disbursed to his estranged relations rather than to Jill, as he would have wished. The same people who disowned him, and wished to have no contact with him in nearly three decades, are entitled to 50% of the value of their home. Jill is legally obligated to put that money into a trust for them, to be relinquished to the government if unclaimed. This trust, and all the legal and real estate costs involved amount to between $100,000 and $150,000 USD. As you can imagine, that is a crushing amount to come up with. Jill will completely deplete the equity in their home to do so, and if that isn’t enough, she will be forced to sell. Jack would be outraged at this travesty. Jill was his whole world—his only family—and now, the very system meant to provide fairness is tearing apart the life they built together.

This is why I come to you – Jack and Jill’s friends, our friends, and all who would share a little of their resources to help a hardworking and selfless woman who is grieving the loss of the love of her life. Jill needs our support. Jill needs to be able to stay in the home they created, and have some stability as she attempts to learn how to navigate life without Jack. Ian and I ask you to consider helping us honor Jack’s memory by preserving the home they shared, and protecting the only security Jill has left. Even the smallest gift will make a real difference. All the funds raised will go to defray the staggering costs of this inheritance debt.

If you cannot give, can you please share her story with others? Let’s make Jill’s story go viral! We can do great good together! From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your compassion, your generosity, and for helping Jill in this moment of her deepest need.