Jill Ann Mohr

The youngest of four daughters born to Marion and Betty Burnette in Ansonia, Ohio, Jill attended Ansonia High School, where she was involved in art, music, student government, and athletics. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education with a math minor from the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio, in 1978.

Jill taught art and coached varsity volleyball and junior high girls’ basketball at Van Buren High School in Ohio from 1978-85. There, she met her husband, Steve Mohr, and they were married in 1983. The couple celebrated their 41st anniversary this past June. In 1985, Jill and Steve moved to Ithaca, New York, where Steve began coaching football at Ithaca College and Jill landed her dream job at Cornell University as Assistant Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Jill and Steve moved across the country to San Antonio, Texas, in 1990 when Steve was named head football coach at Trinity University. They welcomed their daughter, Molly, in 1992. Jill continued her career in education administration, working at Trinity University, Judson Montessori, and the University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry in roles focused on financial aid, admissions, student services, and scholarships. She retired in 2023 after dedicating 45 years to her profession.

Jill was a talented artist in many mediums throughout her life. Among other recognitions, she won three Outstanding Artists Who Teach awards in the 1980s and received two fine arts grants at Cornell. She and Molly shared a love of crafting and had been teaching a class together this fall at the Walker Ranch Senior Center. In the last few years of her life, Jill especially enjoyed painting rocks.

Jill ran a few successful art-based businesses throughout her life. She sold her ceramics, silk screens, and collages in Ohio and New York, and in 2002, she began a face painting business, Fun Faces by Jill, in San Antonio. She was named the top face painter in the city for a decade, with high-profile clients that included KISS and the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Jill was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in 2014 and surprised everyone when she achieved remission just six months later. Over the next 10 years, Jill battled several cycles of remission and recurrence, but she always did it with a smile on her face and hope in her heart. She was so grateful for the decade of life she fought for tooth and (perfectly manicured) nail. Jill experienced many milestones during that time, such as Molly’s college graduation and wedding and the birth of her two cherished grandchildren, Jack and Riley. They were the light of her life and her greatest motivation to keep fighting.

During her battle, Jill deepened her faith and became a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. She also returned to golf, a sport she loved throughout her life, and played with the Windcrest Women’s Golf Association. In 2018, Jill even got a hole in one at the Windcrest Golf Club! She enjoyed her time at home with JoJo, one of four Border Collies she and Steve had treasured throughout their lives. After her retirement, Jill began thoroughly researching various chemotherapy medications, virtually mentoring newly diagnosed patients and meeting with metastatic breast cancer groups and research teams.

Jill was a dedicated football wife, an involved mom, a spunky Mimi, a creative artist, a patient educator, a caring administrator, an encouraging friend, a beloved sister, a successful entrepreneur, and an optimistic fighter. She will be remembered for the way she showed up for others—with level-headedness, positivity, compassion, and a true servant’s heart.

Jill is survived by her husband, Steve; her daughter, Molly (Justin); her grandchildren, Jack and Riley; her sisters, Judy Morris, Susan Stemmer (Bill), and Sally Ganger (Steve); and many nieces, nephews, and their families. She is preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Betty Burnette.

A memorial service will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church in San Antonio, Texas, on Monday, December 30, with visitation at 11 a.m. and the service at 12 p.m. A lunch reception will be held at the church immediately following the service. For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed online. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 12-5 p.m. at the Red Hawk Rec Center, 7092 Red Hawk Drive, Findlay, Ohio 45840. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to ThriveWell Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit that supports cancer patients in San Antonio.