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Jill Susan Timberlake
March 21, 2026
On March 21, 2026, Jill Susan Timberlake passed away peacefully at her home. She was the leader of her family, a devoted wife, cherished mother and loving grandmother. Though she will be profoundly missed, her love and memory live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Jill, the youngest of three girls, was born to Jane Alice and James Arthur Tuttle in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. Family vacations and camping trips to nearby Door County, Egg Harbor, and Horseshoe Bay were highlights of her youth. She attended Oconomowoc High School and upon graduation came to live with her eldest sister Robin, in Washington, D.C. Only two weeks later, she met her future husband, William “T” Timberlake. They met on a blind date in Georgetown and were never apart again. While dating she worked at the Georgetown University Alumni House, while T was attending college at Georgetown University and working. She later worked alongside T at The Childe Harold restaurant and bar in Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C. as a server and bartender.
They married in 1970, moved to the Palisades area of D.C., and another year later, they had their first of two children. While Jill was busy raising the kids, making countless dinners, driving them to ballet, soccer, acting, basketball, football, and nearly all the school class field trips, T opened their own restaurant in Dupont Circle, naming it Timberlake’s. Once the kids were grown enough, Jill worked alongside T once again managing the family business.
At Timberlake’s, Jill became the surrogate mom to so many employees and customers alike. She had a no-nonsense way about her that made all who knew her love her. While T was the host with the most at the restaurant, Jill was the hostess with the mostest at home, with the annual Christmas Eve party, the party to end all parties. All were welcome and all came, from family to restaurant staff, to neighbors and regular customers, the evening hit all the right notes.
Music was always on tap with Jill. She had a stack of albums, and music was ever present in her family’s lives. She even attended the Beatles concert at Milwaukee Arena in 1964 all by herself. She couldn’t hear anything, she said, but loved every second of it. And while working at The Childe Harold, she was counting her bank in the office after bartending while the latest act to perform was eating a sandwich. It was Bruce Springsteen, just before his career took off. “Hey” she said. “Hey” he said back.
Her favorite pastimes included decorating, reading and her treasured dogs over the years. Frequently sprucing up her home and herself, she dressed in style. You never knew what color hair or hairstyle she would have next. As an avid reader, she could carry on a conversation about any topic, not excluding the latest gossip. And dogs were a must in her life, having at least 15 over the years.
After Jill and T sold the restaurant in 2009, they retired to The Outer Banks of North Carolina, where they spent nearly 50 summers previously. She loved the pace of life down there, enjoying daily walks to the beach, new friendships with neighbors, and finally not having to cook anymore, as T took the reins, when they weren’t dining out with friends or hosting guests in town.
She was especially proud of her grandchildren, Jack and Talia, who brought her endless joy and revelation. So much so that she had their names tattooed on one of her wrists, her first tattoo! On her other hand was a tattoo of a phrase from one of her favorite authors.
Jill is preceded in death by her sister-in-law Frances Lillis, her son-in-law Jason Caballero and her brother-in-law Topper Enters. Jill is survived by her husband, William; her two children, Jennifer Timberlake and Travis Timberlake (Jessica); two grandchildren, Jackson and Talia Timberlake; her sisters, Robin and Candace; brother-in-law, Patrick Lillis and countless nieces, nephews and many a friend who adored her blunt honestly and quick humor. She was always dressed for the occasion, lit up the room and knew how to make people feel special. She was loved and will be forever missed and in our hearts.
To quote a favorite author, “So it goes…”
A celebration of Jill’s life will be held Wednesday, April 1st from 3-5 at the North Marina at Southern Shores. (Parking is on North Marina Circle. Walking entrance is on Sassafras Lane.) A second celebration of life will be held in Washington, DC, date, time and location to be determined and will be updated when finalized. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jill's memory to the ASPCA (https://secure.aspca.org/donate/memorial) in tribute to her lifelong love and compassion for animals, especially dogs.
Please share expressions of sympathy with the family at www.gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.