Jill (Johnson) Detmer

ROCKPORT, Mass. – Jill Johnson Detmer of Rockport, Mass., died on Sept. 9, 2024, in Portland, where she was born and raised.
Jill passed peacefully, but not without putting up a bit of a fight—much like she lived her life.
Jill was gentle and loving but also strong, resilient, and committed to those she loved. Wherever she went, Jill brought a beautiful smile and a kind outlook, creating an aura that drew people to her.
She was born in Portland on April 24, 1955, the daughter of Donald and Jane Gould Johnson. She had two younger brothers, Dana and Keith. She spent a large amount of time traveling and was exposed to various people and events through her father’s work as a news photographer, which instilled in her a curiosity and desire to travel at a young age.
Jill and her brothers grew up in Westbrook. She graduated from Westbrook High School and then attended University of Southern Maine and pursued her already blooming interest in science.
While working in Portland after college, Jill met the love of her life, Ed Detmer. They moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1981, where Jill continued to pursue a successful career in diagnostic research. In January 1987, they married (the day after an overnight blizzard had buried the city of Portland).
After their daughter, Lauren, was born in 1988 in Berkeley, Calif., Jill and Ed moved back to Portland briefly before returning to the Bay Area, which she loved so much. Jill continued to build her career in the pharmaceutical industry. Over the course of her career, Jill focused on diagnostic research with a primary focus on virus diagnostics. She received nine patents for which she was named inventor, most recently on human avian flu and RSV. While she continued her career, she also somehow managed to be a loving, engaged, fun, and always entertaining mom.
Northern California suited Jill for its beauty, its numerous outdoor activities, and its open attitude. Although born and raised in Maine, Jill was very much a California girl— reflecting the beauty and vibe of laid-back California.
Jill and Ed also loved Maine and found their way back there many times for visits with family and friends. Eventually, they bought a second home on Peaks Island in Casco Bay.
In 2015, Jill and Ed decided to move back East for good and settled in Rockport, Mass., not far from Lauren in Boston. There, they enjoyed spending time between Rockport, Mass. and Peaks Island with frequent trips to California to visit friends, ski, and enjoy the outdoors.
Ed passed away in 2016, and since then, Jill has devoted herself to her family and friends—caring for her mother and father and other members of her family but most importantly her grandchildren.
A high point in Jill’s life occurred in 2017 on a gorgeous July day. Jill was radiant as she watched Lauren marry her longtime boyfriend, Billy Buss. The day was perfect and the joy and love was infectious. Since then, Jill has devoted much of her time and love to Lauren, Billy, and their two wonderful children, Aiden and Rylee.
Although she did not give herself credit, she had an ease about her making and maintaining friendships—an ease even her grandson, Aiden, picked up on often, reminding his mom that “Nanny has a lot of friends.” The reason for this is expressed perfectly by Jill’s friend Marjorie: “She was the best friend you could ever hope for. She was kind, a great listener, never judgmental, and could light up a room with her smile. She has taught me to be kinder and more present each day”
Jill continued to enjoy traveling with both friends and family, including a recent solo trip to visit friends in Berlin and joining Lauren’s family for a portion of a cross-country road trip that included being stuck between two car seats for a nine-hour, traffic-filled drive from Lake Michigan to Toronto. She never complained, just enjoyed the moments with Aiden and Rylee playing games, coloring, and answering Aiden’s many in-depth questions. Upon arrival in Toronto, she promptly suggested Lauren and Billy go out for a while and she would stay with the kids. That is just how she was —she was selfless and would do anything for her people (or her animals).
She had a light and loving touch with all around her, whether that was people, animals, or the environment. Jill loved animals and treated them as part of the family—she was never without a few animals in the house.
Jill’s gentle love and kindness will forever echo through time.
She was predeceased by her husband, Eddie; father, Don; and brother, Dana.
In addition to her daughter, Lauren and son-in-law, Billy, Jill leaves her brother, Keith; mother, Jane; and many, many loving friends from Maine and California.
A gathering is scheduled for Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. at Halo at Thompson Point in Portland. A second gathering will be held on Dec. 21, time to be announced, at the Brazil Room in Berkeley, Calif.
Please visit http://www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Jill’s online guest book.
Contributions in memory of Jill may be made to Sea Turtle Conservancy at conserveturtles.org