Hillary Grace Jean
Aug 8 2020 changed everything…
Hillary made a huge impact on my life. We met twenty years ago and became instant friends through our shared love for horses. It’s hard to sum up her life in just a few minutes. Here’s what I imagine she would want you all to hear though based on the majority of our many conversations over the last year. Hillary and I both started a massive healing journey about the same time for different reasons and although that took us in different directions at times we found some common themes that were the most transformative.
First of all Love your people and ponies fiercely! You could always count on her to stand up for what she believed in and to take care of those she loved. Her dedication to her animals and the ones she loved never wavered. I know that the horse community witnessed this dedication in and out of the show ring. She was an inspiration to us all, putting the wellness of the horse first and foremost!
She was one of the strongest people I have ever met. The things she overcame in this lifetime could fill multiple lifetimes and she never let it dim her light. With everything that she experienced in the last 11 years since her first diagnosis in 2009 she found a way to put that experience into purpose to help others. She inspired so many people to change their lives and showed that no matter what was happening in your lives that you can make a difference and fully embody your purpose! She continued to lift others up even when she was needing lifting herself. She wanted people to know that they can love themselves fully and they are gifts. That was one of the last things we talk about, that loving yourself fully is the most important thing! Because when you love yourself fully you can be anything you want.
I know I will continue to be inspired by her and the life she led. We had future plans to go for rides together and it’s devastating that won’t happen again. What I do know is that she will be looking out for me like always, especially when I am with the ponies! So, make the most of everyday and always go for that ride!
One of the most beautiful and inspiring people I know passed away this week. For those of you that knew Hillary Rile Jean, I know that she changed your life because that is who she was! She lit up the world with this intense light and left you feeling that you could do anything! For those of you that didn’t know her, let me tell you a bit about this phenomenal woman!
Horses were her passion. I met Hillary Rile Jean when I was about 14 years old. We were instantly friends, bonding over horses of course, a good meal and life! She was in the process of going to Law school and I was navigating high school. She had a lot on her plate at the time, so I helped ride and groom Pony, her amazing mare! She loved loved loved that horse! The barn was her sanctuary and place where she could just be free. I always loved seeing her with the horses because she just glowed around them. When she was stressed from school or life the horses would just melt that away. Over the years she had new horses come into her life and they each gave her a different gift and new adventures. She loved them all and would do anything for their wellbeing. She was a fierce protector of those she loved. You could always count on her to stand up for what she believed in and to take care of those she loved. Her dedication to her animals and the ones she loved never wavered. I know that the horse community witnessed this dedication in and out of the show ring. She was an inspiration to us all, putting the wellness of the horse first and foremost!
She was someone that really knew how to listen. We would talk for hours about anything and everything, and she always made sure that you felt heard and seen. If there was something wrong, she would try to help you find a solution or just be there for you. And when things were great, you could count on her to celebrate the sweet moments in life. She always knew just the right time to send or leave you a greeting card! She was the best greeting card writer ever. She was a guiding star for me in moments when I got lost.
She went after her dreams!!! She showed the world that as life changes, it’s ok to change with it and have new dreams or let current dreams evolve. She showed us that beauty of being a student of life and to never stop learning. She never gave up! She allowed her journey to help others. After her first experience with breast cancer, she found multiple ways to help others navigate their journey while uplifting them along the way. She touched so many lives. I can guarantee that because they met her, they felt a sense of hope and positivity and that her beautiful energy had this ripple effect into the world. She changed people’s lives and she will live on in every person that felt her radiance.
She was one of the strongest people I have ever met. The things she overcame in this lifetime could fill multiple lifetimes and she never let it dim her light. She continued to lift others up even when she was needing lifting herself. She wanted people to know that they can love themselves fully and they are gifts.
If you were lucky enough to receive this woman’s love then you truly knew what it meant to be loved. I witnessed her search for the person she would enjoy her life with and she found an amazing man. Mike Jean, she loved you so much. I remember how excited she was to marry you. You both grew so much together and you supported each other’s dreams! I am so grateful that she had you in her life. You gave her the best gift of all. A life filled with love and no limits to what was possible!
These are just a few of the many magical things about Hillary. Life will not be the same without her. I know I will continue to be inspired by her and the life she led. We had future plans to go for rides together and it’s devastating that won’t happen again. What I do know is that she will be looking out for me like always, especially when I am with the ponies! So, make the most of everyday and always go for that ride! I miss you my beloved friend and sister. Love you with all my heart! 💜