OBITUARY JILL SHIPSTAD THOMAS 1944 -2013 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jill Shipstad Thomas on Thursday, September 19th in Carson City, Nevada at age 69 after dealing with pancreatic cancer, which she bore with courage and grace.
Jill was born on May 27, 1944 in San Mateo, California, to skating legends Roy Shipstad and Bess Ehrhardt. She was the cherished wife of William (Bill) Thomas, technical coach and former Ice Follies star, for 37 years. At age 17, Jill began her skating career in the chorus, but soon found the spotlight as a principal performer with Shipstad and Johnson’s Ice Follies. She went on to star in Holiday on Ice and in TV and theatrical productions for over 20 years. When Jill toured with Disney on Ice, she was co-choreographer together with Robert Paul for fifteen years and continued to work with the Disney principals and understudies. She performed at the Boulevard Room in Chicago, Caesar’s Palace
in Las Vegas, and in many network specials on television. Jill was electric as a skater. As a coach and choreographer, she was energetic, inventive and always upbeat. Her cousin, Eddie Shipstad (Colorado Springs), a coach and show producer, remembers her karate routine. Jill performed a routine that featured her black belt karate skills. “Having skates with zippers on them,” he said, “She would perform her skating routine and then get on the stage, zip her skates off and perform her karate part of her number. I thought it was just incredible.” Jill co-authored a book on self-protection with Bob Ellison called “This Book Can Save Your Life.” When her performing career was over she became a highly respected coach and choreographer, working with many national, world and Olympic competitors. At the time of her death, she was still choreographing for Disney on Ice, with which she had been associated for over 30 years. Jill is survived by her husband, Bill; sisters, Joy, Janet, and Julie of northern California, and many cousins throughout the country. As per Jill’s request, there will be no service. She wanted everyone to remember her as she was the last time they saw her— invariably happy and full of life. In lieu of flowers, Jill would appreciate a contribution to any animal rescue organization.
Join Our Coaching Staff
$65,000
Guaranteed Minimum base for the first year ★ Relocation allotment offer ★
Tommy Steenberg, international competitor with Olympic Coach Audrey Weisiger
Fairfax Ice Arena is searching for a Competitive Ice Skating Coach to join our coaching staff. The Fairfax Ice Arena is… • Located 12 miles from Washington, D.C. in Fairfax County, Virginia — one of the wealthiest counties in the country. • Competitive Figure Skating program offers a 10-week Summer Training School, ballet studio, off-ice training, and jump harness.
Over the past 40 years our competitive program has developed Olympic, National, Sectional, and Regional skaters. Off-ice Training & Ballet Studio
Do you know of a coach who would be an asset to our team?
Refer a Friend...
And receive $1,000 for any introduction that leads to successful employment by Fairfax Ice Arena.
On-ice Harness
Resumes to: Fairfax Ice Arena 3779 Pickett Road Fairfax, VA 22031 U.S.A. Call Henry Weisiger at 703-323-0674 ext 18 Fax: 703-978-6796 Email: henry@fairfaxicearena.com
Offer expires 12/31/13
PS MAGAZINE
21