Jill Mary Sablone

Born in 1952 to Anne (O’Connor) and Rico Sablone, our beautiful daughter and sister, passed away on October 7th, 2024. Jill suffered a traumatic brain injury on October 12, 1970, while a student at Salem State.

Others may proudly list their accomplishments, children, and grandchildren. Jill’s life did not turn out that way.

Despite her disabilities, Jill wove a life, year by year, of those who found joy in supporting her; as caregivers and family.

Jill, “Jilly,” a true child of the early 1970’s. A student at Salem State, when her accident happened, Jill was pursuing a career as a social worker. Jill strongly believed in equal rights for all, no matter your race or color. She fought against the Vietnam war and believed the world could be a better, kinder place.

Jill’s traumatic brain damage, in a Volkswagen Beetle, was life changing. That she survived the accident at all, was due to the fact her accident happened in front of the Lynn Fire Department. Those firefighters saved her life on October 12, 1970 at 4 pm.

Jill’s Mom, Anne, began her lifelong crusade to allow Jill to come home with rehabilitative services and home care. She could not imagine the only choice for Jill was to live out her life in a nursing home.

Along with Jill’s Aunt Helen O’Connor, they approached Ted Kennedy, during a fundraiser and presented their plan for Jill.

The State now offers home care to qualified residents, and we like to think we were pioneers in this concept.

Thanks to Aunt Helen, Dr. Floyd McIntyre, and his team (Sara and Sue), the 1970 class of D-Y and the many PCA’s who contributed to Jill’s care over 53 years.

Please join us at Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, MA on Saturday, November 2nd for a 11 AM Mass.