Asheville News

News obit: Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville public relations staffer, editor of UNCA Magazine, dies at 39

Jason Sandford April 26, 2011

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

This is a terribly sad notice. Jill was a wonderfully warm person. Obituary from the Asheville Citizen-Times:

Jill Tompkins Yarnall, 39, of Asheville, passed away Wednesday, April 20, 2011, after a valiant but brief battle with cancer.

For the past 12 years, Jill was an admired and accomplished staff member at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, most recently serving as editor of the UNC Asheville Magazine. In 2010, she was named the Distinguished Staff Member of the Year, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to the university’s communication efforts and her tireless dedication to the university community. Jill served as assistant director of News Services for 10 years, and won many area and regional communications awards. This year, her efforts on behalf of the UNC Asheville Magazine were recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education with a special merit award. She served two terms on the board of directors for the Public Relations Society of Western North Carolina.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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6 Comments

Curt Crowhurst April 26, 2011

We wish her family and the UNC Asheville community healing and special remeberance of Jill Yarnall. Please know the American Cancer Society is always here (24/7) for any stage of the cancer experience. AVL Area American Cancer Society

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Mike Thornhill April 26, 2011

What sad news. Jill was always so helpful back in my days on the newsroom side of things, and I got to know her better once I moved over to the college PR side of things. Condolences to her family and her UNCA colleagues.

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JBo April 26, 2011

How tragic. Jill was a wonderful lady. My condolences to her family & the UNC-A community.

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lena April 26, 2011

omigosh … she was such a sweet person! i used to work w/ her occasionally when i was on an editor at the blue banner. R.I.P., jill 🙁

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j stehling April 26, 2011

Jill was an amazing woman, supportive and kind. I send my love to her family. Her sweetness and intelligence is already missed.

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Jeremy April 26, 2011

Very sorry to hear this. Jill helped promote our Teatro Latino de Asheville shows, as TELASH is partially funded by the foreign languages department at UNCA. She was always wonderful to work with.

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