Jill Marie “Dickey” Domnick, 48, passed away tragically after an accidental fall on February 14, 2026, in Lawrence, KS.
Jill was born May 15, 1977, in LaVista, NE to John David and Michol Beth “Lydon” Dickey. She was raised with her two brothers, Wesley and Josh. Jill caught the acting bug as a child, creating her own backyard drama club. She created original skits, casting her younger brothers, neighbors, and even the family dogs in supporting roles. Like every exceptionally talented diva, she always cast herself in the leading role.
Jill graduated from Papillion-LaVista High School in Papillion, NE in 1995 where she was very involved in drama and theater. She played Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn, in the musical The Music Man. She was also part of an improv group and did stand-up comedy. High school friends remember her as the life of the party, full of energy, the wind beneath their wings, and a genuine friend.
In college she performed in numerous productions including Midsummer Night’s Dream, Bad Girls, and Sleeping Beauty. She received her Bachelor of Theatre Arts in 2002 with an Emphasis in Performance from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. College friends remember her as always making them laugh, there when one needed a hug and as the best listener around.
In 2001, during a visit to Kansas City to visit her best friend, Jill met her future husband Ryan in a chance encounter at an Aerosmith concert and gave Ryan her phone number. That must have worked like a charm. After dating long-distance, Jill moved to Lawrence in 2002, where she and Ryan married in 2005. In Lawrence she worked as a para-educator as an art instructor and aide for children with special needs. She excelled in photography and ran a part-time business as a portrait photographer specializing in outdoor scenery.
Jill helped Ryan start a landscape business and plant farm on a spacious property in the middle of Lawrence. They raised their kids to appreciate nature and being outdoors. As Ryan’s landscape business grew, Jill was instrumental in all aspects of the business, from Saturday plant sales to bookkeeping. Their home, a beautiful jungle of extraordinary plants and foliage, perfectly represented the family.
During 20 wonderful years of marriage, Jill and Ryan raised son, Jonah who will be starting college in the Fall of 2026, and daughter Jocelyn who will graduate in 2029. Family time was the most important thing in Jill’s life. She devoted herself to raising her children, and was the family advocate, always ready for school functions, sports events, and music practices and performances. Jill always sent videos and pictures of events to the family, so we never missed a band performance or game. She was proud of Jonah as he excelled in high school, achieved advanced college placement and his Eagle Scout and made the jazz band. A tireless cheerleader for Jocelyn, Jill became a leader and advocate for autism spectrum awareness. Jill’s early recognition and intervention with Jocelyn’s disability showed that all things are possible with determination and belief.
Jill loved to travel and experience other cultures. Her many travels took her to places like London, New York City, Iceland, Sweden, and Mexico. Jill and Ryan loved to visit family in Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Colorado. The family took many camping trips to Colorado City, viewed the eclipses in Kansas and Dallas, and hiked anywhere they had an opportunity.
Jill was a special human being, full of spirit and determination, with a huge following of people that she deeply loved and loved her. Jill was known for her incredible kindness and her willingness to listen, to help, and love. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcomed, loved, and included. Her smile and laugh were infectious, and she was always where the fun was. She was “famous” for her imitations, jokes, and overall silliness. She remembered all birthdays and holidays and always had special messages for an occasion. Jill was a talented writer, theater enthusiast, artistic painter, and lover of the outdoors. She adored animals and loved her army of fur babies.
Jill was pre-deceased by her mother, Beth Lydon and father, John Dickey. She is survived by husband Ryan, of Lawrence, KS; brothers Wes Dickey (Bobbie) and Josh Dickey (Wendy) of Nebraska; children Jonah and Jocelyn; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.
As Jill battled immune system illnesses, she became an advocate for environmental quality and community awareness of immune diseases. The family is planning a celebration of Jill’s life on Monday, April 27, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., at the Barn at Randelwood Estates at 1629 E 800 Rd, Lawrence, KS 66049. She loved this venue and we hope to honor Jill’s love of the outdoors.
