Jillian “Jill” Brandt died on Dec. 22 after a long battle with corticobasal disease.
She was born in Nottinghamshire, England, in 1947, and her early years were spent in England, living in the north of the country with her mother and grandparents while her father was serving in the Australian army. One of her earliest and fondest memories was dressing up in her best clothes, curling her hair and watching the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on one of her town’s few television sets. She and her mother eventually moved with her father through his stations in Germany, Singapore and Hong Kong before they settled in a seaside suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
As a young lady, she took a steamer ship back to London to visit her favorite aunt and met a young American doctor named Kenneth Brandt, who would become her husband of over 50 years. While living in London, she and Ken had their first child, David, and then relocated to the United States, where Ken practiced medicine at Boston University.
Jill, Ken and David lived happily in Boston, Massachusetts, for several years, adding to their family with the birth of a daughter, Susan. In 1977, Ken was offered the opportunity to build a rheumatology department at Indiana University Medical Center. Jill spent the next 30 years in Indianapolis, raising her children, joining book clubs and art study groups, learning to paint and making wonderful friends. Jill was renowned for her beautiful garden, which was known to be a highlight on local garden tours. As her children grew, she enjoyed traveling with Ken, visiting countries far and wide. Her favorite trips were to Sweden, Greece, France, Indonesia and, of course, her beloved England.
In 2007, Jill and Ken moved to Fairway, Kansas, to be near their granddaughters, who were the light of her life. She kept her freezer stocked with each grandchild’s favorite ice cream, kept hundreds of children’s books on hand and always had art supplies ready for a quick afternoon craft. “Magda,” as she was affectionately known, thrived being around her grandchildren.
As Ken’s health started to deteriorate, she became an exceptional nurse, caring for him around the clock with love and devotion. Ken predeceased her in 2017, and she missed him every day for the rest of her life.
In her final years, Jill was surrounded by many loving caregivers, particularly those from Thoughtful Care and Everyday Home Care, who selflessly gave their time and their hearts to her, and KC Hospice, who were so helpful and compassionate in her final days.
Jill was predeceased by her husband, Ken, and her brother, Alexander Curtis. She is survived by her sister, Lorraine Alford, of Melbourne, Australia; son and son-in-law, David Brandt and Kuanwu Lin of Chicago, Illinois; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Paul Himmelstein, of Mission Hills, Kansas; and granddaughters Abigail, Emily and Megan Himmelstein, all of Mission Hills.
Jill was a blessing to everyone who knew her. A celebration of life will be held at the Muehlebach Funeral Home in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 31 at 10 a.m., with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests that donations could be made to her favorite charity, Doctors Without Borders, in her memory.
