
I worked closely with Jill throughout her years in our department, and I considered her to be a valued colleague and friend.  She was the staff person responsible for the well-being of our large group of graduate students. She took that responsibility very seriously, both professionally and personally. 
Her kindness, her wisdom and her competence meant that her office was always a very busy haven, both for our students and the faculty members working with those students.
She clearly cared deeply for those students, and we had long discussions about how to help them realize their potential.
We also enjoyed sharing stories about food, travel, and music, and that included Norway, the country of her ancestors, and her brother Brian the violin maker.
I join many former students and faculty in saying that we will miss Jill. I send my condolences to her family.

I wanted to pass along my deepest condolences on the loss of Jill. While I only knew her in the last stages of her career (I started as a graduate student in EBIO in 2012), she was a remarkable person and I was glad for her warmth, humor, and professionalism. Jill could always be trusted to work through a problem, or just be a person to listen without judgement. Many times I stopped into her office just to say hello, and she always had an encouraging smile and some chocolate to offer a wayward graduate student. A unique and wonderful soul. She will be missed.

Please accept my dearest and heartfelt sympathy; I am so sorry for your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family throughout the years as you continue to remember your loved one. Isaiah 61:1,2.

I am so sorry to learn of Jill's passing.  We worked together in the Office of the President in the late 1980s.  She was always a positive and calm presence, a generous spirit, and a wonderful colleague and friend.  My sympathy and condolences to Jill's family and many friends.

Whenever I happened to be visiting the CU campus for a department event, Jill was always so kind and friendly and interested in hearing about my activities, travels and interests too. She will be greatly missed.

I saw Jill nearly every day in the 24 years she worked in my department, and she was of friendliest, most helpful, upbeat people I have ever met. She was in charge of our graduate program, and she was welcoming to incoming students and a source of wisdom for their entire programs. Always a warm smile, always ready for humor, a model of equanimity in the worst of times. It was an honor to be her friend. She shared her joy when she bought her house, and my only regret here is that she did not enjoy it longer.

My sincere condolences for your loss. As you endure this difficult time of sorrow, please turn to the Most High God for comfort as his word assures us at Jeremiah 29:12,13 "you will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

Her only flaw was her modesty. We tried so very often to get her special staff recognition for her always essential service to EBIO, but she showed no interest in cooperating. She corrected and covered for us faculty with her gentility, kindness and patience because we were often erroneous, lazy or ignorant of proper procedures for doing things related to our wonderful graduate students.

When Jill came to our academic department, she quickly established herself as a wonderful member.  She was always cheerful, present, competent and had the best interests of the department, especially our students, at heart.  It was a genuine delight for me to have known her all the years she spent with us.  She was a very positive woman who made the University of Colorado Boulder and our biology department a better place for her presence.

Michael Grant
Professor and Vice Provost, Emeritus

Jill was a "class act." Her dedication to EBIO grad students was boundless and positive and inspirational. A "can do attitude" is too rare today. Jill modeled it and inspired it in others.

Dave Armstrong
Professor Emeritus

Jill was an angel to the graduate students and faculty in the biology department at CU.  She comforted and guided many of us in her calm and thoughtful ways.  She is greatly missed, but will not be forgotten.

It was a joy to have known Jill. I am thankful for the joy our conversations brought and will always remember her kind heart.

The world will miss Jill's warmth and competence. She shepherded many of my EPOB graduate students through their degrees with great patience and understanding. My sincere condolences on their loss to Jill's family and friends.

What a sad news! Jill was so kind, helpful and always had a smile on her face. We have really missed her here at CU and now the world has to miss her too.

Jill was a kind and warm person. She patiently guided many of our graduate students through their degrees in our department. Even during stressful times, she always had a positive outlook and something very wise and cheering to offer.

I am so sorry to learn about Jill's passing. She was a gem for so many years in EPOB/EEB. I could always depend on Jill to selflessly help others along with much joy and enthusiasm. Sending her family all best wishes and condolences.

OBITUARY

Jill Skarstad

January 18, 1955 – December 10, 2017

Crist Mortuary & Cremation and Mountain View Memorial Park

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