Jill Christine Vannatta, of Evanston, IL, died in her home, surrounded by her family on March 9, 2016. She was 45 years old. Jill was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme in January 2014.
Jill is survived by her husband, Jeremy Vannatta; her three children, Peyton, Connor and Avery; her parents, Bob & Christa Huseby of Nashville, TN; her brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew, Craig & Nichole Huseby, Lily and Joseph of Nashville, TN; her father-in-law and step mother-in-law, Jerry Vannatta & Melinda Lyon of Oklahoma City, OK; brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and niece, Seth & Rachel Vannatta and Riley of Baltimore, MD; and many aunts, uncles and cousins who loved her dearly.
Jill was born on January 11, 1971 in Omaha, NE. She attended Brentwood Academy in Nashville, TN followed by Northwestern University in Evanston, IL graduating with a political science degree in 1993. Jill remained in Chicago after graduation where she met the love of her life, Jeremy Vannatta, and joined Starcom (formerly Leo Burnett) starting her successful career in media. Jill was held in very high regard and deeply respected by peers and clients alike and drove significant growth of the agency’s Procter & Gamble and Kellogg’s accounts in the U.S. and abroad. In 1998, she was tapped to run P&G’s China media strategy from Hong Kong. Jill was an influential leader within Starcom and a critical contributor to its early success when it launched as a separate media agency. Ultimately, Jill served as an Executive Vice President of the company and member of the Starcom Managing Board.
Jill’s love for horses started early at the age of five and continued through her life. Jill was an accomplished equestrian being named in the North American League Top 20, winning the Marshall and Sterling Finals for the Midwest, Illinois Champion for amateur adult and amateur owner, and qualifying for the Washington International Show, the Pennsylvania National Show and the National Horse Show.
Jill was a smart, fun, and loving mother to her three children. She was an active volunteer at her children’s schools serving as President of the School for Little Children Parent Committee and member of the Governing Board, room parent at Baker Demonstration School and Dewey Elementary School, and Parent Benefit co-chair at Nichols Middle School. She was also a total foodie, not only reveling in trying the hottest restaurants but cooking gourmet meals for friends and family.
A funeral is scheduled for Sunday, March 13, 2016, 3:00 p.m. at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL on Northwestern’s campus with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and honor Jill’s life. Jill’s ashes will be interred at the family’s cabin on Big Birch Lake in Grey Eagle, MN, a place Jill loved.