Jill Sweeney

She was born on February 7, 1946 as the youngest of two daughters to Vernice and Ivan Hankins in Washington Court House, Ohio. Jill was brought up with a strong sense of family and work ethic that defined the woman she was throughout her life.

She graduated from Shortridge High school in 1964 where she developed many long standing friendships. She then went to the University of Florida where she majored in dance and starred in the production of “West Side Story” and “The Red Shoes”. She earned her teaching degree and went on to work at the Phofal School of Dance.

After moving back to Indiana, she became a professional model working for Act One, Guys and Gals and Helen Wells modeling agencies which landed her features in numerous magazines, newspaper ads and popular commercials including McDonald’s, Steak and Shake and many more. She did runway modeling for LS Ayers and Wm. H. Block department stores and was well known as the “Son of Monster” for Noble Romans Pizza.

Her entrepreneurial skills prevailed when she opened a successful dance studio in Carmel,Indiana cleverly named “On My Toes” for the next 16 years. She taught tap, jazz and ballet to students in preschool through young adults. She mentored and loved those students deeply, not only teaching them grace and discipline, but helping them navigate through challenges they faced as growing adolescents. She even choreographed the popular musical “Damn Yankees” at Footlite musicals on the side.

The next chapter of life cultivated her desire to author her book “The Dance of Life”. This book was a spiritual and inspirational journal outlining struggles with grief, divorce and addiction. It highlighted her beliefs about life’s journey. “I believe life is a quest for full happiness. The essential elements of happiness are individual responsibility, self love, love of others and foremost the humility to accept a power in life greater than ourselves”

Jill had an amazing ability to not only see the best qualities in others but to make them feel safe and bring out their own inner light and confidence. Everything she did and accomplished in this lifetime was centered around helping others. Even in her brave 2.5 year battle against ovarian cancer, she continued to have an impact on the lives of the staff that took care of her. She endured grueling treatments with grace and a positive attitude and often entertained the staff with her crazy style and humor. The family would like to extend their appreciation for all the staff at Hematology and Oncology of Indiana and Northwest Radiology.

Jill is survived by her husband of 42 years and bestfriend Kevin Sweeney, her daughter and best friend Angela DeBord Henriksen, her sister Sandra Clark, her granddaughters Sidney and Emma Henriksen and dogs Izzy, Lexi and Figgy. Jill was preceded in death by her father Ivan Hankins, mother Vernice Hankins, and her two beloved dogs Beau and Louie.

A visitation will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 PM at Leppert Mortuary - Nora, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240, followed by a celebration of life memorial service at 1:00 PM. The family asks everyone to wear bright colors to represent the bright and colorful life she lived.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Jill’s memory may be made to The LOVE Pet Project, 11818 Sycamore St Zionsville, IN 46077. https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=LNQMKL4WHEBXY