Jill Maxine Relles

Jill Maxine Relles (née Dickson), a treasured educator, worldwide traveler, adventurer, and beloved wife, mother, and grandma, passed away on August 13, 2024, in Sacramento, California, at the age of 78. Born on November 30, 1945, in San Francisco, California, she led a life marked by dedication, passion, and boundless love for her family and friends.Jill met the love of her life Tom while she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1967 and earned her teaching credentials the following year. She began her impactful career as a teacher for 32 years at Sacramento Country Day School before taking on the role of State Director of the Reading Implementation Center at the Sacramento County Office of Education for over 11 years. Her commitment to education and the betterment of young minds was evident through her tireless work and the deep connections she formed with her students and colleagues

.Outside of her professional life, Jill was a spirited and adventurous soul. She was active in many things such as pickleball, bicycling, skiing and hiking. Her travels with her husband, Tom, and various family members and friends took her to all corners of the globe.Jill's greatest joy was her family, especially her grandsons, Sam (10) and Bodhi (6), with whom she shared many cherished moments, from building elaborate Lego sets to teaching them to ski. She spoiled them rotten. She never missed an opportunity to support them in their various activities, embodying the role of a supportive and loving grandma.Jill is survived by her husband, Tom Relles; son, Spencer T. Relles; daughter-in-law, Melissa Relles; grandsons, Samuel S. Relles and Bodhi T. Relles; brother, Gary Dickson (Michelle Kauffman); sisters, Wendy Dickson (Andy Pitas), Kit Harwood (Dickson), Sue Dickson (Ricky Oliva), and Eve Eppard (Eric). She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton and Maxine Dickson.

Services to honor Jill will be held on Tuesday, August 27th at 11 a.m. at the East Lawn Funeral Home in Sacramento, followed by a celebration of life. Jill's legacy of love, education, and adventure will resonate with all who knew her, and she will be profoundly missed.