Jill Doreen (Lehto) Burnett

Jill Doreen (Lehto) Burnett, 56, passed away on April 29, 2019, at 11:47 PM at Carle Hospital in Urbana, Illinois with her family by her side.

Jill was born April 22, 1963, in San Jose, California and was the daughter of Linda Hopcus & Fran Lehto. Jill graduated from Los Gatos High School in 1982. While attending church services in California, she met and married Kerry Burnett. The two then moved to Illinois; where Jill continued to be a stay at home mother to her sweet daughter (Haley, 6mo) they then later expanded their family, having another beautiful daughter, Tayler.

She enjoyed spending time outdoors and was an avid gardener. She found an immense amount of joy in planting and working in her flower beds and tending to her vegetable gardens. Nothing pleased her more than growing the best, ripe tomato. 

Jill also loved spending the summer days with her daughters just floating in the pool and going on camping and fishing adventures.

Once her daughters had grown, Jill was employed at Carriage Crossing Senior Living where she worked as a Life Enrichment Director.  Jill had such a passion for seniors and lovingly organized games, outings, spa treatments, musical entertainment, crafts, and baking activities for the residents. This passion was endless and she participated in all of those moments with them, building strong, connections and friendships with each and every resident she cared for. 
She enjoyed her family immensely and had such a fondness and tender spot for animals. Jill will be most remembered for her great smile, infectious laugh, witty sense of humor, warm hugs, big heart, and unending compassion. 

She is survived by Kerry Burnett, whom she was married to for nearly 30 years. Daughter, Haley Boone (Curtis) of Mahomet and two grand-dogs Benji & Buster. Daughter, Tayler Burnett of Mahomet. Mother, Linda Hopcus, Father, Fran Lehto, Sister, Kim Henry (Chris) and two nieces and two nephews all of California. She is preceded in death by maternal grandmother,  Ethelen (Pat) Leland. 

Her Celebration of Life will be held at the Elks Lake Pavilion at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, Illinois Wednesday the 8th of May with a 10:00AM Visitation, 11:00AM Celebration of Life Services and 12:00 Luncheon open to all of her family, friends and co-workers. 

The family strongly encourages memorial donations be made in Jill’s honor, in lieu of flowers, to an organization, Hospice Hearts. This organization takes in animals that have been displaced due to their elderly caregivers passing or going into a non-pet friendly facility. 

Please make donations to: Hospice Hearts PO Box 91 Thomasboro, IL 61878.

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