Jill Fonda Hudson

Jill passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, January 4, from complications of COPD. Her passing came as a surprise, as she appeared alert and cheerful in a hospice photo taken Saturday morning. The hospice residence staff took excellent care of her, and treated her like a queen during the three days she was there. Her family believed she was at least as happy in their care as at any time in her life.

She spoke with her brother Jack by video phone several times while she was in the hospital and later in hospice. On Saturday, Jill's sister Sandy spent the entire day and evening with her, reminiscing and laughing together. On Sunday morning, Jill was tired and sleepy, and as the day went on she began slipping away. That afternoon Sandy called brother Jack to report Jill’s declining condition. Jill could not respond, but he asked Sandy to put the phone on speaker and hold it to Jill’s ear. Jack then said his fond goodbyes and sang her a gentle song that their father composed and sang to them at bedtime when they were children. Jill passed away quietly soon after.

Jill was an intelligent and resourceful woman who had been a world traveler since the age of 22, working in service jobs and crafts to pay her own way. She made many close friends during her travels, some of whom were still corresponding with her in recent years. She greatly enjoyed her recent years of volunteer work at the Harlingen Heritage museum, and spoke fondly of the people she worked with there. The attached photo was one of her favorites, modeling an Oscar de la Renta gown at one of the museum's charity auctions. Jill was a beloved sister and friend, and her family and friends will miss her dearly.

Jill's husband, Troy, passed in San Benito 20 years ago, after they had spent the previous ten years living on the Yucatán coast of Mexico. Jill had Troy's remains cremated and kept them, waiting for her own corporeal disposition in the same manner, and burial with him. They will be buried together at Mont Meta in San Benito. Shakespeare could not have written a more romantic ending.

Jill is survived by her brother, Jack Stover of California; her sister, Sandy Farrell of Washington State; her nephew, John Stover of Montana; and her niece, Nicole Warren of Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Hudson, and her parents, John Stover and Edna Stover.

Burial of Ashes will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM, at Mont Meta Memorial Park.