ONEONTA - Jill Karen "Jake" (Nass) Accordino, 58, of Oneonta, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021, following her valiant battle with inflammatory breast cancer.

She was born April 7, 1962, in New Britain, Connecticut, the daughter of Wilbur F. and Carol M. (Stabert) Nass.

Raised in Plainville, Connecticut, Jill Karen graduated from Plainville High School with honors in 1980. She attended Hartwick College in Oneonta where she graduated in 1984 with bachelor's degrees in art and history.

After graduating from Hartwick College, Jill Karen called Oneonta home working dispatch at the Oneonta Police Department and later at Hartwick College. It was while working at Hartwick College she met her soulmate, Rick.

On Dec. 12, 1987, Jill Karen married Richard D. Accordino, in a double ring ceremony at the Lutheran Church of Atonement, Oneonta. Together they lived in Maryland, before moving to Pindars Corners in 1989.

While working at Hartwick College, Jill Karen continued her education and received her NYS Teacher Certification. She received a master's degree from SUNY Oneonta in 2005.

Jill Karen worked for ONC BOCES for 17 years before taking her dream job as an art teacher at Milford Central School in Milford in 2016, teaching all populations and all age ranges, most recently pre-k through seventh grade. In 2014, Jill Karen was named New York State Art Teachers Association Region 4 Art Educator of the Year.

In her volunteer activities, Jill Karen served on the board and was past president of the Catskill Regional Teacher Center; she judged several of MURAL's annual Student Art Exhibits. She served on the Legislative Exhibit Committee, served on the Board of Trustees, as well as Co-Chair of Region 4 New York State Art Teachers Association and was secretary of the Pindars Corners Volunteer Fire Department.

Jill Karen kept busy taking care of her beloved dog, Sylvi, gardening, flowers, ceramics and designing cards. Jill Karen enjoyed spending time with her friends and family. Jill Karen touched more lives than she realized with her caring and loving personality.

Jill Karen is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Richard "Rick" Accordino; son, Kristopher Accordino, Davenport; stepson, Kevin (Carol) Accordino, Grand Gorge; stepdaughter, Patricia (Trisha) Accordino, Scotia; her father, Wilbur "Bill" and stepmother, Avis Nass of Girard, Pennsylvania; two brothers, Scott (Holly) Nass and Kurt (Barb) Nass. Jill was a loving grandmother to seven grandchildren, Matthew, Daisy, Aaron, Anthony and Abigail Accordino and Jordan and Jasmine Sanderson; four brothers-in-law, Dan (Cindy) Accordino, Larry Accordino, Robert (Charlene) Eklund and John (Melissa) Eklund; one sister-in-law, Bettie Jayne (Dick) Spinney; two uncles, David (Judy) Nass and Kenny (BA) Nass; one aunt, Beverly (Dick) Wolf; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins and an endless amount of friends. She was predeceased by her mother, Carol (Stabert) Nass; father-in-law, Robert Eklund Sr. and mother-in-law, Beatrice (Accordino) Eklund.

May every day bring you an unlimited canvas, endless paint, and may you shower all of us here on earth every morning and every night with beautiful works of art.

Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 17, and 3 to 5 p.m., Thursday, March 18, at Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main St., Oneonta. A Celebration of Life Service will be private for family only but friends are welcome to watch the live stream at 1 p.m. Friday, March 19, on the Bookhout Funeral Home Facebook page.

Condolences may be sent to the Accordino family at 166 Starr Road, Oneonta, NY 13820 or online condolences may be made at www.bookhoutfuneralhome.com.

Jill Karen's family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to Pindars Corners Volunteer Fire Department, 8898 State Highway 23, Oneonta, NY 13820.

Arrangements are being handled by the Bookhout Funeral Home, Oneonta.