WYNANTSKILL – Jill Suzanne Bryce, 63, was set free February 27, 2025, gently and peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved daughter of Wally and Marlene Bryce of Averill Park; and was married to the love of her life, Thomas Weiss.
Jill met Tom on the Adirondack ski slopes, and they spent their years skiing, sailing and traveling together. Jill enjoyed adventures with the Out of Control Ski Club, and she and Tom were proud members of the Jiminy Peak Ski Patrol. They also assisted skiers at the Double H Ranch, and Jill helped start the Andrew Christian Bryce Foundation, both efforts that helped young people with illnesses enjoy their lives.
Jill was a graduate of The Doane Stuart School and Union College. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English and political science, she began her 20-plus year reporting career for the Troy Record and The Daily Gazette. She won an Associated Press award for beat reporting in 2004. She never put down her pen, writing poems, plays and stories while also working for her family’s Real Estate.
She loved to slam a tennis volley, sail in strong winds with her Tommy Boy, ski narrow glades, win ski races, even conquer the Matterhorn. Jill loved to throw a party and was always the life of the party. Never shy, she danced with an ’80s flair, sang out of tune, golfed, visited friends, chatted on the phone late into the night, and attended church, concerts and plays.
In addition to her parents, and devoted husband, she is survived by sisters, Kyle Bryce Batease (Glenn) of Queensbury, Susan McGuire (Thomas) of Weston, Fla., and Jennifer Leonard (Michael) of Reading, Mass.; and a brother, David Bryce (Astri) of Troy.
Also surviving are stepson, Russell Weiss (Kate) of E. Arbury, New South Wales, Australia; along with the nieces and nephews that brought her so much joy: Heavenly godson, Andrew; Kristjan, Axel, David (Nina), Anna, Thomas, Bryce (Alex), Wallis, Owen; her godson, Ian; Emma and Penelope. Her grandchildren, Millie, Isabelle and Will, will also miss her.
Jill leaves her favorite canine friend, Kayla; along with her signature collection of hats, ski vests and jackets. Her numerous friends that became like family are too numerous to list. She was predeceased by grandparents, Esther and Denton Bryce and Elizabeth and Joseph Wiesenforth.
Faced with the thief called cancer, she helped frontier immunotherapy and always made an effort to bring joy and comfort to others.
Her strong faith, her devoted husband, and her family carried her through precious, extra years. Cancer be not proud; you are not her whole story.
“Leave them with a smile,” she would say, (so go ahead and put the windows down and belt out a song or two for Jill).
We remember the joy and are thankful for it. In Peace I will lie down and Sleep for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Relatives and friends may call at Bryce Funeral Home Inc., 276 Pawling Ave., Troy, on Monday, March 3, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m., at Brunswick Church, 42 White Church Lane, Troy, with Rev. Jim Knapp officiating.
Interment will be in Brookside Cemetery in Brunswick.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Jill S. Bryce to The Community Hospice (Gift Processing Center), 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, N.Y. 12208, or the Center for Melanoma Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave., Boston, Mass. 02215.
