Following is the obituary for JILL K. WELLNER, submitted for her family by Spear-Miller Funeral Home in Fairfield.

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Jill K. Wellner, 69, of Fairfield, passed away peacefully at home on March 14, 2024, surviving nearly six years after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, a true testament to her strength and courage. 

She was the loving wife of Ken Walker. Jill was born in Norwalk on Nov. 14, 1954, to the late Thomas and Eugenie Kantor.

Jill bravely faced many life challenges and was dedicated to helping others. She worked at a number of high-profile health care organizations, including Bridgeport Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and the Veterans Administration. She was a talented change agent who proposed innovative ways to improve quality, access and profitability. She is most proud of being certified as a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and passing this knowledge on to countless teams, students and colleagues. 

Jill had an insatiable love of learning. She studied at Wells College, Fairfield University and UConn before receiving her second master’s degree in epidemiology and public health from the Yale School of Medicine in 1996. She was a talented educator who inspired the next generation of health-care professionals. She served as an adjunct professor at the Yale School of Nursing, Sacred Heart University, Norwalk Community College and Salve Regina University. 

Her greatest joy came from being among her family and friends, especially her fellow alumni from Staples High School in Westport.

From Turkey to Togo, Jill was inspired by travel. She was fluent in French and loved a good glass of wine. She was also a longtime lover of the arts. She enjoyed Broadway and the New York Philharmonic. Attending performances of the Nutcracker at Lincoln Center right before Christmas was a beloved 40-year tradition for Jill and her daughter.

In addition to her husband Ken, Jill is survived by her daughter Jessica Daponte and her husband Matthew. She is also survived by her three siblings, Anne Lynn (Bruce), John Kantor and Reginald Kantor (Brigitte). She will be sadly missed by countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Family and friends may visit at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield, on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Willowbrook Cemetery, Main Street in Westport.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smilow Cancer Hospital. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jill K. Wellner, please visit our floral store.