It is with deep sorrow and a profoundly heavy heart that the Manchester Township School District (MTSD) shares the heartbreaking news of the passing of Ms. Jill Ocone, a cherished member of the Manchester Township High School (MTHS) faculty. Jill was not only a gifted English teacher but also a beloved mentor, colleague, and friend. After a courageous battle with a rare form of cancer, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her.
Throughout her career, Jill consistently embodied grace, resilience, and hope. She often signed her messages with the phrase “love and light,” a reflection of the warmth, positivity, and compassion she brought to everyone around her. Jill’s legacy will live on in the countless students she inspired and the lives she touched so deeply.
This loss will be felt across our entire school district. In order to support our students and staff during this time of grief, grief counselors and the Traumatic Loss Coalition will be available on Thursday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Manchester Township High School. Students and staff who feel the need for additional support are encouraged to contact their school’s main office for that guidance. We are here to help.
We will join Jill’s family in honoring her beautiful life and the lasting legacy she leaves behind on Monday, August 4, at the Orender Family Home for Funerals in Manasquan, NJ, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. A repast will follow at the Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant Beach. Jill’s deep love for literature, unwavering dedication to her students, and her spirit of “love and light” will forever remain in the heart of our school community.
With deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences,
The Manchester Township School District
