Jill A. Babcock

Jill A. Babcock, 72, of Lyons passed away August 31, 2016 at Longmont United Hospital after a month long illness. Family and friends of Jill's mourn the loss of a wonderful and significant person in our local community.Jill A. Babcock was born August 16, 1944 in Buchanan, Michigan to Walter J. Babcock and Mary Elayne Blaney. She was the eldest of three children. She attended school in the Buchanan School System, graduating in 1962. She earned her Bachelor's degree at Central Michigan University in 1966, and her Master's degree in Special Education from Eastern Michigan University in 1968.Jill was a special education teacher in Hawaii and Florida before volunteering with the Peace Corps in Gambia, West Africa in 1973. She then moved to the Longmont area and settled in Lyons in 1978. She served on the Lyons Police force and was promoted to become the first female Chief of Police in the state of Colorado. After leaving the Lyons Police force, she taught 1st-8th grade at Centennial Peaks Hospital. She then served as Case Manager for The Inn Between of Longmont, retiring in 2012.In addition to her employment, Jill served as a volunteer for the Lyons Fire Department, Meals on Wheels and Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. She enjoyed sports, watching football and basketball, taking care of her yard and occasional trips to the casino. She had a black belt in Karate, went whitewater river rafting and sky diving.Jill dedicated her personal and professional life in service of others. For nearly 50 years, she tirelessly worked as a special education teacher, social worker, police officer and advocate. After retiring from The Inn Between of Longmont, she continued working as a volunteer at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and Lyons Meals on Wheels. She always had a special place for the most vulnerable, particularly children and small critters. From her early days serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa to working in Lyons as Chief of Police, Jill was an adventurous woman who demonstrated the courage to achieve great things and make a positive difference in many lives.Jill is survived by her sister, Joni M. (Babcock) Metzger and brother-in-law, Rein Metzger (known as Jr.) of Granger, Indiana; niece Kristin L. (Metzger) Cronkhite and husband Jason Cronkhite, great-nephew, Benjamin Joshua Cronkhite and great-niece Juliet Blaney Cronkhite all of Westfield, Indiana. Jill was preceded in death by her father, Walter J. Babcock; mother, Elayne Babcock Penwell; and brother, Jack Michael Babcock.Services will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016 at 2:00 pm at The River Community Church, 18668 N. St. Vrain Dr. in Lyons, CO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jill's name can be made to Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Longmont Humane Society, The Inn Between of Longmont, or donor's choice. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences with the family.