Passed away suddenly on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Toronto Western Hospital, at the age of 79 with her daughters by her side. Devoted mother to Susannah Bush and Rebecca Bush (Ian Porter). Adored and loving grandmother (“Nonna”) to Jack, Isabel and Abigail. Predeceased by her loving parents Thomas William McCarthy and Ann Margaret McCarthy. Sister to Jan Clayson (Colin) and Sue Pales (William). Aunt to Lucy Lilley (Stephen), Matthew Reynolds (Isabel), James Pales (Carol) and Tom Pales (Jessica). Jilly also had many beloved cousins with whom she adored spending time.

Jilly was born in Manchester, England on July 12, 1944. As a young child and again as a teenager, she spent several glorious years living with her family in Malta, while her father was stationed with the Royal Navy. She learned to sail and was immensely proud to obtain her advanced sailing certificate at the age of 16 which allowed her to sail beyond Valletta’s Grand Harbour sea wall and out into the Mediterranean Sea.

She attended University College London (UK) where she obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) in 1967. Jilly practiced dentistry in Manchester and offered mobile dental services to those who could not access them, driving through neighbourhoods in a van. After moving to Canada in the early 1980s, she pursued and obtained a Master of Science (MSc) in Epidemiology at the University of Western Ontario. Jilly continued her career at Western holding the positions of Assistant Dean, Continuing Education & Professional Development at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Career Scientist (MOH) and finally as a Professor with a research focus on clinical epidemiology, survey research and national policy development. She was passionate about access to healthcare for patients with HIV and Hepatitis and began her health research and policy efforts in the early days of the AIDS epidemic

Jilly enjoyed art, Italian opera, canal boating, gardening, beautiful views and large family gatherings. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy and they will miss her stories and cuddles. She was known for dancing while no one was watching and, also, while everyone was.

Jilly was a member of St. John's Norway Anglican Church in the Beaches and was so grateful for the wonderful community she found there.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held on April 17, 2024 at 2 pm at the Old Mill Chapel, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario. The memorial service will be followed by a Celebration of Life in the Humber Room at the Old Mill. If desired, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada and to the Art Gallery of Ontario.