Guest Book
Here are some beautiful thoughts that have poured into Jillian's Family:
(if you would like to add anything to this site, please email your memories to info@jilliankesner.com)
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Some loves are not meant to be separated. It is so hard to image I would be saying goodbye to Jillian so soon after Gary left us. I first met Jillian in 1982 working as a camera operator on “Raw Force” in the Philippines. She had a wonderful smile and attitude that remained her entire life. I’d worked with Gary, new his work well, and I was thrilled when they met and fell in love. My life was richer for having known them.
All the Best,
Bob Hayes
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I was stunned
to hear of Jillian's passing, and I am very, very sorry she is no longer with
us. I knew Gary since the late 1960's, via my 50-year friendship with Curtis
Harrington. I'd met Jillian in the late 1970's, quite separately, and the
our paths crossed over the years. Last three times I saw Jillian was, first,
at a party on Rodeo a couple years ago, with Gary and Curtis. She looked extraordinarlly
beautiful. Then, sadly, we met again at Curtis' funeral last year, and again
at his Memorial. Jillian was without Gary at this time, and I did hug her
and she felt very frail. Jillian, Gary, and Curtis were unique human beings
and the world has indeed lost a great measure of richness. I did not know
her family, but my heart reaches out to them in this most painful time.
Goodbye, Jillian.
John Gilmore
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It was with
complete shock and profound sorrow that I learned today of Jillian's passing.
How could such a lovely light be extinguished so soon?
Jillian and I first met in Las Vegas, where we were filming The Bob Hope Special,
naming us two of "The Ten Most Promising Actresses of 1975." In
my mind's eye, I can still remember watching from the wings as she made her
entrance onstage with such innate poise and gracefulness. I recall thinking
that she was, by far, the most beautiful of us all. Yet, it wasn't only her
radiant beauty that I remember, it was also her sweetness. Subsequently, I
had the opportunity of working with Gary, who was cinematographer on a film
I made with Jack Palance entitled, "One Man Jury." A few years ago
- perhaps after his illness had begun - I ran into Gary at an autograph show.
It was only then that I learned he and Jillian had married. I remember saying
to him, "You married the most beautiful girl on earth!" He returned
the next day with a copy for me of the film we had done, and we promised to
get together. But, of course, we never did.
.....and now, it is too late. When last I saw Jillian, her face reflected
deep sadness and exhaustion...but the beautiful sweetness remained. I watched
her as she sat in the darkened theatre, listening to familiar voices memorialize
the husband she'd lost. Who could have predicted that the next time...would
be "her" time...and so soon.
My heartfelt sympathy to all her friends and family. May your hearts be peaceful
soon, again.
Pamela Susan Shoop
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Jillian was the nicest person I have ever known.
Tom Barger
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I am crying
as I am writing this...Jillian was...I can't even say it...she was getting
better and trying to get her life without Gary on...
Fred worked with
Gary for over 25 years and they became our best of friends. Please, please,
let us know about the memorial.
And thank you so much for letting us know...
Sincerely,
Kim and Fred Ray
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What a shock.
I actually knew Gary since I was 17 years old and had the pleasure of getting
to know Jillian.
Give my love to her family and please let me know when the services are.
Thank you,
Denise Brown
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My love goes
out especially to Sean and Chris at this time. Jillian was their champion
and her love for our dear
Gary legendary. My immediate reaction through the tears was ' she has gone
to join gary..couldnt
live without him..he has called her" so now it is a fairy story to be
told in years to come even
if now and the recent passed has been immediate reality.
Iloved and respected Gary through my friendship and love with April.. and
Jillian who loved and supported Gary and Chris so much
will be admired and missed by many...
May they rest in peace and dance in heaven together for evermore. with love
and respect..
Peter Golding
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I am so sorry
for your loss. Jillian and Gary we loved by us all and will be deeply missed.
Please let me know when services are scheduled.
Kindest regards,
Kelly Rubin
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To all of
Jillian's family and friends especially her closest; Mom Patricia and Sister's
and all of the Nieces and Nephews, friends and extended family of
Jillian Kesner Graver.
This is Chris Graver's mom, April and My heart fell when I opened up an e-mail
from Peter Golding, with the forwarded message of the sudden loss of Jillian.
Yet, there is a magic in the Universe this day and for all eternity, and that
is the thought and feeling of Jillian and Gary dancing in Heaven for all time,
together,
as Peter expressed. She missed Gary so. There was a dream-time in which it
shall always be known in the Universe's as "Two Doves of Love in Eternal
Light"
Gary Foss Graver and his beloved Jillian Kesner Graver and how they left us
with their imprints on being loving human beings!
I had just shared a glimpse of magical memories of Gary and Jillian together
with her over the phone in end October and how sweet it was how much Love
she
had for Chris as more than a step-mom and missed speaking with him too, I
can't even imagine how Chris will take this news.
My family and I send our deepest heartfelt condolences to you all at this
time. Jillian Loved Chris and Sean too...also Sylvester Gary's nephew. but
she really did
miss her beloved Gary. We spoke of all the beautiful soft and gentle memories
they shared and it was so healing. She was excited and looking forward to
coming
to visit with Chris and asked me to please let him know how she was still
grieving and that was why she hadn't been in touch, not that she didn't love
or care about
him. She had shared with me of her new role in which she was the now acting
emissary of Gary and traveling to speak for the first time. We made plans
to get
together and stay closer in touch and to go together to visit Chris.
May Jillian and her beloved Gary rest as "One Spirit" for all time
together. May there be a Healing for this sadness to return in time as an
expression of the Unconditional Love they shared with us all by being examples
of the same to each other!
With My Heart Full of Love for you all!
April De Silva, Christopher Graver and our entire family from Our Hearts to
Yours!
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I am shocked
to hear about the death of Jillian. It is so unexpected, and I regret that
I was not able to go to LA and to meet her after Gary
passed away. We stated in contact by email, and I hoped to be in January/February
at the West coast and to visit her...
I express my condolences to you. And I'll also keep her in memory as a very
warmhearted woman as well as a good actress in movies and on television.
It was so touching to see how she cared for Gary the last time when I met
the two, in September 2007 in LA, just when they were moving to their new
home.
Kind regards
Stefan Droessler
Filmmuseum Muenchen
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I just can't
believe it. i am in Paris and so sad. she was such a great lady. i loved her
and gary.
All my condolences
Fabrice
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What sad news. It wasn't so long ago that we all attended Gary's memorial service.
I know Jillian because Gary has been my son's professional godfather ever since my son first started working in the moviemaking business and eventually got me to work on some of his films. All three of us dearly loved Gary and Jillian. They were amongst the kindest and gentlest people I have ever met. In a way I am happy that Jillian was not left alone in this world for too long and opted for an early ticket to Heaven where she and Gary can share their love for one another once again. I don't know when Jillian died but I thought of her sometime last week later in the evening. For no reason that I was aware of the thought of her crossed my mind. I was wondering how that she was doing by herself without Gary. I hope that she was reasonably happy after she lost the love of her life.
Thank you for passing on the sad news so that we can mourn with you and send lots of positive energy to propel Jillian into the higher spheres of Heaven.
With best
regards and my sincere condolences,
Mieke Tunney
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Jillian and
Gary came to visit me and my family her on the east coast in March of 2006.
We toasted Gary's having passed the five-year milestone of cancer
recovery. The world seemed to be finally ready to let the two of them relax
after a grueling period and get on with a happy life together. But life didn't
follow the
script as it was written and the sequel was not what we all hoped.
When I last
spoke with Jillian a few months ago, there was still the sound of exhaustion
in her voice from the experience of caring for Gary through the last
rough stages. She still sounded a bit lost from it all, but she told me she
was getting ready to move on with her life as best she could.
I suppose
the strain of the last 16 or so months may have taken more of a toll on her
than Jillian realized and left her vulnerable with a lowered resistance.
We can only be glad for her that this end, as you say, was not protracted
and painful like the one she had earlier worked so hard to ease for the man
she loved
so much.
Jillian was
a beautiful person, full of grace, humor, talent, intelligence, profound respect
for others and innate sensitivity. Your family is blessed, as are her friends,
to have experienced her. I always observed that, in life, your aunt had an
almost other worldly quality and indefinable aura. If angels truly have wings,
Jillian is
soaring - and smiling.
Please give all your family my deepest sympathies for this tragic loss.
Sincerely,
Larry Jackson
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I am Glenn
Jacobson's sister. I am so sorry to hear this very sad news. Glenn was best
friends with Gary and Jillian the entire time they were together. (He and
Gary were best friends for past 50 years)... I have met Jillian and had dinner
with both of them when they were in Portland several years ago. Since then,
Jillian and I have kept in touch over the emails.
She was one of the nicest people on this planet. I know my brother will be
devastated and shocked. He spent a couple of weeks with her when they went
to a film festival in China, I believe. I thought it was wonderful that she
was trying to carry on with Gary's work.
She was so sad after Gary passed away. Now they will be together in a better
place.
My deepest condolences to you and your family.
Barbara and Xavier Bauser
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To Jillian's
family,
What sad, sad news. I extend to you my deepest sympathy. What a beautiful
lady and spirit she was.
I am the writer and executive producer of the film Ray of Sunshine and that
is where I first met Jillian. I wish I had gotten to know her better.
Please send details on the memorial.
May God's love and blessings surround you all at this time,
Rae Rodgers
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