Jill M. Ashley, age 67, of Gresham, passed away at her home Friday evening, January 30, 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Jill was born August 25, 1958, in Shawano, a daughter of the late Garth and Jeannette (Huntington) Ashley. She attended the Shawano schools and graduated from Shawano High School with the Class of 1976. Following high school, Jill worked in positions for Shawano County and the Stockbridge-Munsee Tribe. A lifelong learner, she found her passion in law, which prompted Jill to earn an associate degree in paralegal studies from NWTC in 2004. This advanced degree allowed her to be employed by several attorneys in the Shawano area. Jill was also a trained stenographer. Following the death of her parents, she relocated to Grand Junction, Colorado, where she lived for two years—the first time she had resided out of state. While at Grand Junction, she was employed at the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel as a secretary. She returned to Wisconsin in 2021 and worked for the Shawano County Library until her retirement in 2024. A gifted seamstress, Jill was skilled on a sewing machine. Jill sewed numerous Halloween costumes for both her children and grandchildren, altered wedding dresses and gowns for community members, and was well known for her baby blankets and bibs, which she sold at local craft shows. During the COVID pandemic, she also made custom masks that she donated to hospitals in Colorado. Jill was an avid reader who enjoyed true crime books and shows on television. She
had an amazing sense of humor and was very quick-witted.
Survivors include her two sons, Daniel Terrio of Milwaukee and Andrew (Ronni) Terrio of Gresham; grandchildren, Aden, Kash, Baelyn, and Peanut; sister, Amy Reiter of Shawano; and special nieces, Brandi, McKenzee, and Kyla Dove all of Shawano. Jill is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Gary Ashley; and sister, Kim Jurgensen.
A memorial service for Jill M. Ashley will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at 12:00 pm at Mickelson Funeral Service in Shawano. Visitation will begin at the funeral home on Saturday at 10:00 am and continue until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers and plants the family kindly requests memorial donations in Jill’s name to the American Cancer Society.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
“The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff with ThedaCare in Appleton and Shawano, and ThedaCare at Home for the compassion and care Jill received over the past two years. Additionally, the family would like to extend a big thank you to Tracy Johnston, Jill’s neighbor, for her constant, round-the-clock care for Jill in her final days.”
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