Jill E McMullen

Jill McMullen, 74, passed away in Maryland on 12 June 2026. Born in Ohio on December 2, 1951, to Carl and Joanne (Geer) McMullen, Jill was a person of intellectual curiosity and creativity. She came to Washington DC at age 26, although she kept her mostly-home state of New Mexico in her heart her entire life. She married Steve Meyerhardt and raised two beloved daughters, Lisa and Monica, in Virginia, New Mexico, California, and then again in Virginia.

After retiring from a career in information technology, she did more of the things she’d always loved to do. She painted portraits in oil and pastel, she wrote, she cooked, and she researched her family genealogy for the pleasure of discovering the stories. Though not a performer, she studied guitar for 10 years, thrilled to learn almost all of the songs that had ever touched her. Jill and Steve shared a passion for travel that deeply enriched their lives, and Jill learned to speak Italian for love of the culture.

Jill valued character, decency, rational thought, and kindness. Above all, she loved her family and delighted in her two grandchildren, Alex and Penny.

For a decade, Jill lived with breast cancer and then liposarcoma -- a rare and aggressive cancer that stilled her creativity and ultimately took her life. At the same time, she supported Steve, living with his own rare cancer. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Steve; daughter Lisa Meyerhardt (Kevin Macartney), granddaughter Penny; daughter Monica Meyerhardt (Ray Liang), grandson Alex; brother Scott McMullen (Katie Sperry) and family, brother-in-law Marty Meyerhardt (Marci Perlmutter) and family, and other dear relatives and friends. A private memorial will be held.

Jill’s final days were spent in the excellent care of Gilchrist Hospice Center, who gave great comfort to her and the entire family. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Gilchrist in her honor would be appreciated. Please read the lovely article Gilchrist wrote about her: Fifteen Years of Compassion: Honoring the Purpose Behind Gilchrist Center Howard County