Jill Severn

Jill Severn died of natural causes early on Sept. 21, 2026. She was 78 years old. After dealing with significant health issues in recent years, she suffered a medical crisis two days before her death.

Jill Belinda Grubb was born on Dec. 4, 1947, in Klamath Falls, Oregon, to Doris and Samuel Grubb. The family later moved to Portland, Oregon. She was the youngest of their four children. Her three siblings, one in Mexico, one in Arizona, and one in California, are shocked that she was the first to die. However, she likely surpassed them by far in energy expended and productivity. She deserves a rest. 

Few who met her realized that she was self-educated. Eager to see the world, Jill completed one quarter at the University of Washington. She left UW to begin  working in media while in her 20s as a newscaster and public affairs programmer for Seattle radio stations. Ever interested in gardening, she wrote her book, “Growing Vegetables in the Pacific Northwest,” at age 30.

For the next five years, she hustled as a freelance journalist, contributing to publications focused on international affairs. Jill worked as a correspondent for Inter Press Service, a global news agency headquartered in Rome, Italy. The United Nations designated 1975 as International Women's Year, and much of her reportage during those years focused on women's lives. She reported on events at the United Nations and from five continents.

Based on that experience, Jill was hired in 1981 to serve as executive director of Seattle's World Affairs Council, a position she held for four years. Around this time, Jill hosted a music show on Classical KING FM 98.1. She was also a staff columnist for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and Seattle Weekly.

Jill moved to Olympia to work in the Washington State Legislature as a policy analyst and later served as a speechwriter for Governors Booth Gardner and Gary Locke. She also worked with many other public officials to help them reach out to the people in their communities. 

Her Olympia years were accented by her activism on behalf of Camp Quixote as she helped it grow to become Quixote Village. She wrote civics and Washington State history textbooks for the League of Women Voters of Washington. Jill also served as The Olympian newspaper’s editorial writer. In her final professional position, she was a columnist for The JOLT, focusing on gardening, and other topics that served as metaphors for life. 

Jill was predeceased by her parents and her daughter, Jane Kindel. Jill is survived by her son Joshua Baker and his daughter, Lorelei Baker; her granddaughter Jordan Knapp (daughter of Jane Kindel) and Jordan's two children, Bronne and Blake Knapp; and her long-term companion, George Walter. She is also survived by an array of nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She also leaves behind her chosen family: Mymy and Quan Nguyen, Frances Davis and Anna Schlecht.  

Beyond her family, Jill often gathered people from all corners of Olympia at her table, building community one dinner at a time. Jill was equally at home with leaders of state and local government, as she was with the houseless friends she held close to her heart. May her kindness and generosity live on in all who remember her.

Memorial gathering

Please join us to share stories, music, good food and inspiration from a woman who lived a life of purpose.

The memorial gathering is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1 p.m., at First Christian Church, located at 700 Franklin St. SE, Olympia, 98501.