Jill Siske

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Jill Marie Busby Siske, age 53. She left our world on March 5, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jill lived a life rich in service and kindness.

Jill has been a resident of Waynesville, NC for the past 20 years and lived with her husband, Randy, son Sean and bonus daughter, Makaya. Jill is survived by her loving father Kell Busby, mother, Cathrine Lindsey Kinsman and stepfather, Craig Kinsman. Also, brother Kell Busby, Jr, sister Amy Busby Griffin, brother Jason Busby, Sr, sister Crystal Busby Walker and sister Dawn Busby. Over the years, Jill celebrated and treasured very close relationships with her many nieces and nephews.

Jill and Randy’ s life journey began when they met while serving in the Navy in Norfolk, Va. A loving 30- year marriage began when they were wed in the Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina.

Immediately after getting married, they were stationed in Pearl Harbor, HI. Jill left the Navy and pursued a degree in Administration of Justice. When they returned to Norfolk, VA , Jill graduated in 1999 from Old Dominion University with a minor in Sociology and began working as a Crime Scene Forensic Technician with the Chesapeake Police Department.

Two years after the birth of their son and upon Randy’s retirement from the Navy, Jill wanted to raise her family in Waynesville, NC, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Facing a void of local forensic technician jobs, Jill started working for non-profits focused on troubled youth. She was motivated to go back to school where she attained a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. What followed was a devoted and inspiring career at Buncombe County Department of Social Services. Jill’s passion to help those in need developed a special bond with the families she helped with in our community and with her co-workers.

Outside of work, Jill was an award-winning quilter. She often incorporated the family tie to the honeybee and made heirloom quilts for each new family member. We are the Buzz-bees! And she reveled in showing off our beautiful scenery to her nieces and nephews on hikes and drives during their frequent visits. She was an accomplished marksman – a Michigan State Police gold medal winner! She was surprising, kind, a total tomboy, an eternal optimist, a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. She made a difference, and we cherish the paths we travelled together with this remarkable woman and will miss her deeply.

A celebration of Jill’s life will be held on Friday, March 14, 2025 at the Lake Junaluska Harrell Center, 710 N Lakeshore Drive, Lake Junaluska, NC 29745. Refreshments and social hour begin at noon. Speakers and remembrance at 1pm. Fellowship afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to KARE, Inc at karehouse.org or call 828-456-8995

The care of Jill has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville