Jill Michel Brubaker

Jill Michel Brubaker, 79, died peacefully Friday, March 18, 2022, after a long battle with cancer. She left behind family and friends who loved and cherished her. She was born January 26, 1943, in Syracuse, NY. She grew up in Tallahassee and attended Leon High School. She was married twice. With her first husband, George Kemp, she had two daughters, Liane Michel and Laurie Lynne. Her second marriage to Kenneth Saffold produced no children.

Jill was retired from the Florida Department of Revenue, where she worked processing unemployment compensation claims. Prior to her state employment, Jill worked for the Tallahassee Democrat as a classified ad sales representative.

Jill had many interests and talents. She loved to read. She was an avid gardener, specializing in native plants and in her later years, she became a Master Gardener Volunteer for Leon County. She had a passion for bird watching. She was a protector of Monarch butterflies and hummingbirds and all the other birds that partook at her numerous bird feeders. However, she wasn’t crazy about the squirrels that frequently raided those bird feeders. She expressed her creativity through nature photography, macrame, batik, cooking and making Christmas ornaments and stockings for family. She also participated in Tai Chi and ukulele classes at the Tallahassee Senior Center.

Jill loved just about all sports. She was a huge fan of Atlanta Braves baseball, Atlanta Falcons football, and FSU sports. She attended many FSU men’s baseball games and, in later years, she and her sister Jeannie could often be seen cheering at FSU women’s basketball games.

Jill was a strong supporter of women’s rights. In the early 1970s, she participated in the ERA March in Tallahassee and when she was told she wasn’t able to apply for a certain job promotion because she was female, she sued her employer and won, opening the doors for so many women.

Jill was an intelligent, modest and a deeply compassionate person. She had a great sense of humor and an adventurous spirit. She lived a life full of thoughtful wonder and hope for equality for all people. She will be greatly missed.

Jill is survived by her daughter Liane Schuessler, two grandchildren, Jessica and Jason Schuessler, and three great grandchildren, Kinley, Kylie and Bryce Williamson. Her daughter Laurie Kemp predeceased her in 2017. Jill also leaves behind her devoted siblings: Jean Sue, Jerry, and Jan Brubaker, as well as her sister-in-law Cynthia Couey Brubaker, niece Cathryn Brubaker and nephew Steve Brubaker.

Please consider making a contribution to the nature organization of your choice.