Jill Birrell

On Sunday, February 13, 2023, Debra “Jill” Ferre Birrell, loving grandmother, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully at her home. She was born March 16, 1955, to Robert K. Ferre and Janet Christensen Ferre Grimes.

Jill was a member of The Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jill attended Utah State University where she took part in student government as the Student Body Treasurer and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. After college, Jill spent time in New York City and then in Washington D.C., working on Senator Orrin Hatch’s  first senate campaign. When returning home to Utah, she found her life’s calling when she began teaching elementary school.

While teaching, Jill met one of her student’s single fathers, Kent Birrell. Kent and Jill were married in 1983, and Jill became a stepmom to his children. While the relationship was not permanent, they did have one daughter (Chelsea) together and remained friends over the years. Chelsea was the light of Jill’s life and her best friend. The two of them had a special bond and the same sense of humor. Chelsea was Jill’s greatest joy in life until her grandchildren were born. Jill’s three grandchildren, Noah (8), Aimon (6), and Iyla (2), were her greatest treasures and filled her life with delight and purpose. She was a regular presence in her grandchildren’s lives bringing learning, reading, and music into their lives from the very beginning. 

Jill loved little children and had a special ability to understand them. She was a devoted teacher and spent 35 years in education, primarily teaching first grade at Centerville Elementary. Jill loved to read and found comfort in the written word, which she passed down to her daughter. She was an educator even when not in the classroom and taught those around her every day.

Those who knew Jill were blessed with love and friendship. Jill was genuinely friendly and outgoing. She made new friends everywhere she went, and had the ability to talk to everyone, and made people feel special. She had a special friendship with her mother and spoke to her daily. Jill loved to create and made beautiful keepsakes for gifts. Holidays and decorating were made special by her touch. She loved going to concerts, dinner, the theater, and the movies. Jill loved animals, and her dogs were like her children.

Jill is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Chelsea and Harris Khan; grandchildren Noah (8), Aimon (6), and Iyla Jill (2); mother, Janet Ferre Grimes; sister LeeAnn Prince; brother and sister-in-law Deven and Virleen Ferre; stepchildren Cindy Brown, Mitzi Maughan, Chis Moore, Nicki Jentgen, and George Birrell; and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by father Robert Ferre and sister Kathryn Ferre Dibble.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Building at 4275 S. Bountiful Boulevard, Bountiful, Utah. An evening viewing will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A morning viewing will be held from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church prior to services.

Jill will be laid to rest at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery, 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah.

Funeral services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.