SOUTHBURY- Meribah "Jill" Bamber, 96, of East Hill Woods, died Sunday, September 9, 2007 in Southbury. Jill was the wife the late Ronald Bamber, mother of Gayle O'Neill of Southbury and grandmother to Brian O'Neill of Middlebury and Robert O'Neill of Claremont, NH. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and her longtime loving companion Antoinette "Toni" Lewis and her husband Walter of Waterbury.

Jill was born May 26, 1911 in Birmingham, AL, daughter of the late Harry Oliver and Meribah (Stearns) Moore. Jill was an accomplished artist, often commissioned to paint family and pet portraits. She showed her work at one women art shows, won many awards in Juried Art Shows, and was often featured as Artist of the Month.

Having been an animal lover, she was a charter member of the North Shore Animal League. She rescued cats, dogs, raised poodles and had horses at her home on Cat Island, in the Bahamas. She traveled extensively throughout the world and enjoyed canal boating with her family.

She and her late husband built, owned and operated a resort called the Fernandez Bay Club on Cat Island in the Bahamas for over 26 years.

She was a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member and past president of the Women's Club in Stamford. She was member of the Silver Mine Art Guild in New Canaan and the Old Greenwich Art Society.

Graveside services will be held at the New North Cemetery, Woodbury on Thursday, September 13th at 11 a.m. There are no calling hours. Memorial Contributions may be made to the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave. , Port Washington , NY 11050 . The Southbury Funeral Home of Munson-Lovetere, 235 Main St. North is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made through www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.

Memorials: Memorial Contributions may be made to the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave. , Port Washington , NY 11050.

Cemetery: New North Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Southbury

Funeral: Church Not Applicable

Services: Graveside services will be held at the New North Cemetery, Woodbury on Thursday, September 13th at 11 a.m.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.