Halvorson, Leila Jill (Wagoner) 1944-2020

HALVORSON, NORRIS, WAGONER, BUCKMAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/23/2023 at 14:44:47

Leila Jill Halvorson
June 23rd, 1944 - May 23rd, 2020
Sunshine Mama Jill Forever in our hearts

Biography
Leila Jill Halvorson, our beloved Mother, was known to many as Mom, Jill, Mama Jill, Auntie Jill, Jillafer, Grandma, Jilly, Sunshine Lady and Little Sis. She had many close friends and was always loving, patient, and kind. Mom was a beautiful woman inside and out and was nicknamed "Sunshine lady" by her friends many years ago. She was elegant and classy and never left the house undone. She had 100 scarfs and knew how to use them! She lived with FAITH and JOY and always gave uplifting hugs. Always positive with boundless energy, she cared for many and was a great listener. Mom instilled in her kids to go after your dreams and never give up-"I will always stand by you." -she would say. Mom was very generous, selfless of her time and enjoyed giving EVERYONE- special gifts from the heart. We will never forget how special she made all of our Birthday's (Bday month/ Bday week) and Christmas's... EXTRA joyful! She was everyone’s Mom and we all adored her spirit and sweet nature. She loved her family and friends and always said: "Being a Mom was her greatest achievement and her kids are her greatest treasure"

Jill is the youngest of five, with four awesome older siblings [Sharon (Buckman), Bill, Doug, Chuck] Her siblings always had her back and she loved them with all her heart. She was raised in Iowa with strong midwestern values and a feisty spirit. She loved her parents, Francis and William and was very close to her Mom. She spoke fondly of her Grammy & Grampy and a happy childhood with them around. Jill was born in California, raised in Iowa and moved to N. California at age 21. She met Jim Halvorson from her rivalry high school in Iowa, and a year after graduation -they eloped to Michigan so they could marry at age 19. They moved to California a few years later and started a family with daughter Traci and son, Todd. She loved being a Mother, homemaker and was a great cook. She spoiled her kids with abundance of love and attention. She loved listening to country music and play her guitar. Mom had an amazing voice and loved singing along to the music with us every day in the house and car. We will never forget MOM's "Wahoooooooo" sound for many blocks when calling us to come home for dinner. She had a strong voice and wasn't afraid to use it! Mom's best friend was Frannie Hallet who lived close by and they laughed & cried and were inseparable for 50 years.

Mom started working in Mt. View and later became an executive secretary for a tech firm in Sunnyvale. After returning to Santa Clara from Grass Valley, she worked for Earl Hallet Roofing. She took a side job (just for Xmas money) at Pier 1 Imports and loved it so much she stayed for 10 years. She also became an AVON rep and many devoted customers. Her last 15 years, she worked for Wells Fargo Advisors until retirement. Mom had many jobs, but her favorite were her afternoons spent working at her daughter's model agency, Halvorson Model Managment. Mom also began modeling at age 50 and got a ton of work-she loved it! She spent over 20 years working side by side with Traci and instantly became the maternal pillar for the agency -the models loved her and called her Mama Jill. It was hard NOT to fall in love with Mama Jill her presence always lit up the room.

She cherished her grandchildren Drew & Dylan beyond words and they were her most precious gems. She spoiled them anytime she could and embraced them with endless love. She adored her daughter-in-love Hillary and felt extremely blessed to have her in her life. She also enjoyed the hilarious banter with her Kiwi son-in-law, William. Mom was always afraid of Dogs but her love for Bisous instantly transformed her into the greatest fur baby GMA ever. She became Bisouses loving companion & babysitter. Thank you Mom for all the joy you shared and everything you did for us.

Mom's favorite flower are Daisies--symbolizing Motherhood, purity and new beginnings. Mom will always be the sunshine on our shoulders, the light of our life and forever our guardian angel. We miss you every day Mom and love you forever more.

We'd love to have you share your memories on MyKeeper.com Memorial: Write a tribute and upload a photo or more. This is a private Memorial link to be shared with family only. Thank you, Love to you all

About
Family Name Leila Jill Halvorson
Date of Birth June 23rd, 1944
Date of Death May 23rd, 2020
Home Town San Jose, CA, US
Favourite Saying “I love you more “ “Everything happens for a reason “ “You got this”
Family
Family Children Todd Douglas Halvorson, Traci Halvorson
Parents Francis Norris
William Harold Wagoner ~ Mykeeper.com 23 May 2020