Jill Flynn Smyth

Jill Flynn Smyth, 74, Bismarck, ND, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2018. The family will be receiving guests from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Sunday, November 4, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, with a time for sharing beginning at 4:00. A celebration of Jill’s life will be held at 11:00 am Monday, November 5, at First Presbyterian Church, 214 E. Thayer Ave., Bismarck. Jill was the first born to Blanche and Les Flynn in Dickinson, ND, on October 4, 1944. The family moved to Bismarck in 1951, where Jill graduated from Bismarck High School in 1962. She continued her education at The University of North Dakota, earning a degree in speech pathology, later her master’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta. Jill’s career began as a speech therapist with the school system at Ellsworth Air Force Base, SD. She continued with the Department of Defense until moving to Atlanta in 1971, where she worked with the Fulton County schools. After earning her master’s, Jill taught and worked at Emory University Rehabilitation Hospital. She finished her career in Bismarck at Medcenter One/Sanford, mostly as a home health care speech pathologist. Little did Jill know her first position at Ellsworth Air Base would lead her on a life of travel and adventure. Fulfilling two years with the Department of Defense made her eligible for overseas appointments. She applied for a position in Europe, but was offered Okinawa – she said “yes”, then looked on a map to find out just where it was! It was in Okinawa that Jill met the love of her life, Tom Smyth, a Navy pilot. While Tom completed his service, Jill relocated to Nurnberg, Germany. Jill and Tom married in 1972 and settled in Atlanta. She continued to live in Atlanta for many years following Tom’s death in 1976, but came back to her beloved North Dakota in 1986. Jill’s zest for travel was whetted with family vacations and solidified with adventures in Southeast Asia. While in Germany, she learned to ski in the Alps, took holidays in England and joined family in Norway. Her life in North Dakota made a good base for travels with family and friends. She traveled to France, Bermuda, Mexico and many trips to Georgia, Florida, California, Washington, Montana, along with numerous other destinations. Above all else, she loved the Badlands. Though skilled in the sciences, Jill also loved design and creating. She built a unique and charming house on Anderson Street in Bismarck. She humbly designed annual cards for holidays and, once retired, began fabricating floral broaches under the brand name, Miss Jilly. Not only smart and creative, Jill was an athlete. Golf and tennis were her passion and often included in her travels. Jill’s faith was deep and comforting, proving to be a great source of strength and optimism when faced with the adversities of loss and illness. Jill is survived by her sisters, Jacquie Ellis (Kent), Bismarck, and Joy Flynn (Myke Knutson), Savannah, Georgia; nephew, Scott Ellis (DeLynne), Portland, OR; and nieces, Hayley Ellis (Adam Erickson), Minneapolis, MN, Tammi Knutson (Adam Dobson), Kamloops, British Columbia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom; her parents; and her nephew, Tim Knutson. In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be given to the First Presbyterian Church, Bismarck, ND, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.