For Jill DiPasquale, life is always a trip as long as she and husband Larry can pack the kids, dogs, cats, hermit crabs, and their 10-year-old frog into the car and go on a family outing. If you’ve spent time with this dynamic funny lady, you know what a “kick” she is to be around. Laughter is the best medicine in Jill’s eyes, and she can keep you in stitches for hours.
She’s also a champion of the less fortunate who have no where else to turn – and feels very grateful for all the gifts she has been blessed with – two healthy, wonderful children, a loving husband, and a large close-knit family whom she adores - and they cherish her right back.
Jill is a “girl who can’t say no” when it comes to those who need a helping hand. As Chef Noel Cunningham observed about Jill: “She has 10 fingers on her hands, and each one of them is always being used!” You could coin her “Jill the Juggler!” How does she keep all the balls rotating in the charitable world? Best not to wonder, just be glad she is a vital part of our community and is here to share her warmth, laughter – and tears with all of us.
Jill’s fairy tale story doesn’t end here - not as long as she can offer her “helping hands” to those who need her. Jill will continue to keep her “pail full” and give her unique form of human kindness to all in her midst. Jill is “salt of the earth,” and one of Denver’s brightest shining stars. Her giving hands will always be reaching out to make life better for others.
B>Boards and Committees Jill is (or has) serving on (this is a partial list):
Denver Center Alliance Executive Board 2003 – present; Gala Chair, “Saturday Night Alive” 2005; Kempe Center Alliance Executive Board 2004 – present; VOA “Western Fantasy” Committee 2005; National Charity League with daughter Christina 2004 – present; Board of Director for Rocky Mountain Adoption Exchange 1997 – present; Chaired “Fantasy Ball Gala” - 1996; Project Pave “Annual Secret Chef’s Dinner” Chair 2001, 2004, 2005; PTO Board Belleview Elementary 1999 - present; Board of Director for “Hearts for Life Guild” 1994 –1998; Board of Director for the American Heart Association 1996 –1998; Board of Director for “Friends of Nursing” 1988 –1990.
What three things are always in your refrigerator? Wine, Diet Coke, eggs.
What is your favorite place to be in your house? Sitting at my piano. I’ve played since age five and taught piano while attending college. Now I try to do a Christmas concert for the family every year.
How did you and Larry meet? "We grew up together in the same neighborhood, and his younger sister was my best friend."
What made you decide to go into nursing? "It gave me the opportunity to go anywhere in the world if I wanted too. Having the option, at some point, to help people in other countries was important to me."
If you were to move, what will your home tell its next owner about you? Wow, did that women ever clean the oven???
What social or charitable event is your favorite? “Fantasy Ball” for the Adoption Exchange, and Project PAVE’s “Secret Chef’s Dinner” at Strings.
What fundraising activities are you mostly involved in at this time? The Adoption Exchange, Project PAVE, Kempe Alliance Board, Denver Center Alliance, Volunteers of America “Western Fantasy.”
Who is your hero, and why? The two birth mothers of our children. They showed the ultimate act of unselfish love and courage.
Who is your mentor? My husband and my parents.
Who is your favorite writer? Erma Bombeck and W. Shakespeare.
What is your favorite magazine? Conde Nast Traveler.
What is your favorite restaurant? Peppinos Pizzeria.
What is a favorite childhood memory? Building forts at my Granny’s house with my brothers and sisters.
What is a moment in your life you will never forget? My wedding and seeing our children for the first time.
What do you most value in your friends? Trust, acceptance, sense of humor.
What is one thing nobody knows about you? I have seen the Star Wars Trilogy 30 times, Lord of the Rings Trilogy 32 times and Aliens 20 times.
What do you like most about yourself? Ability to speak my mind in any situation.
What do you like least about yourself? Ability to speak my mind in any situation.
What makes you laugh? A good joke told really well.
What makes you cry? A good joke told really bad.
What is your greatest indulgence? Weekly fresh flowers.
What do you consider your proudest achievement? Raising two children, and my work with patients in the ICU/CCU.
Which of your projects have you found particularly challenging? Teaching nine and 10-year-olds every week at Church for the last seven years. The challenge has been trying to get future generations to think globally and understand what’s going on in other parts of the world. The world shouldn’t end at their doorstep. If everyone in our society just gave an hour of their time a week, we might not need all of the subsidized programs we have.
Everyone can be part of doing something good. Everyone has God-given talents that can be shared. The next generation needs to know what a blessing it is to be living in the Western World. I do believe that the schools are getting better about making global awareness part of the teaching process by involving kids in community services.
If your life were a movie, what actress would best play you? Emma Thompson.
What is your pet peeve? People not being accountable for their actions.
What are your hobbies or other interest? Running, skiing, piano, gardening, teaching.
If you could go back in time and do something differently, what would it be? Spend more time with my sister who died suddenly.
What is your most treasured possession? My Grandmother’s wedding ring that my sister wore.
What is your greatest extravagance? Traveling.
What is your personal motto – or favorite quote? “In this life we cannot do great things; we can only do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My God, My husband, and my family.
What is your current state of mind? Functional, - what’s left of it.
Is there somewhere other than Denver you would like to live? Maybe someday? On the coast in North County San Diego.
What is something you would still like to learn to do – like play an instrument, learn a certain language? Make a pot roast that can’t be used as a lethal weapon!
What might you epitaph read, or what would you like to be remembered for? She loved much, laughed often, and hopefully, touched some lives along the way.
