HOPE — Jill Beth Lang, 61, a longtime resident of Hope, passed away peacefully from cancer on March 4, 2026 at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Jill won the husband lottery marrying Kenneth Blakeley Jr. in 1992. Together they had two incredible daughters, Emma Blakeley of Midvale, Utah and Abigail Blakeley of Camden. Her daughters have been the brightest lights of her life and her greatest legacy. She loved them fiercely and Jill’s grit, intelligence, wit, and kindness lives on in both of them. 

Jill grew up in Westfield, New Jersey, the daughter of Allan and Joan Lang, beloved step-daughter of Patti Jones Lang, and devoted sister of Rebecca Ann Russell, now of Essex Connecticut. She forged deep relationships with Ken’s family as well, including his mother Judith Ann Blakeley, who passed on just a few months ago. 

Hope wasn’t just the physical town where Jill lived, it was her mental home as well. Her actions were guided by hope and backed by hard work. She was loyal and devoted to the people in her life and to the causes she supported. Her career in journalism and communications was core to who she was and it was how she made herself of service to us all. She started early at her junior high paper, eventually attending the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the Columbia School of Journalism. She remembers fondly her time—and all of her incredible colleagues—at the Gloucester Daily Times, Portland Press Herald, The Courier Gazette, and Village Soup. She spent the last fifteen years of her professional life at Allen Insurance and Financial. Jill cared so deeply for all of her colleagues at Allen, taking much pride and satisfaction in watching the company grow and knowing everyone’s name.

Jill was a force in the community and as such, garnered the love and devotion of many close friends. She wanted to acknowledge in particular the following people:  

Seth and Erin Meyer, of Camden, for inspiring her with the courage to keep going in the face of great challenge and for their tender care and unending support of Emma and Abigail. 

Pat Blakeley of Portsmouth, Rhode Island for simply being. 

Susan Howland, Sally Miles and Mike Pierce of Allen Insurance and Financial for their enduring friendship and support. 

Kathleen Capetta, of Camden, for cancer companionship.

Her entire care team throughout her treatment and in hospice, whom she referred to as her “team of perfection.” 

Karin Woodworth for her gifted end of life care. 

At the end of Jill’s life, she felt crystal clear about her last request of us all: please make kindness your baseline. “Kindness is all we’ve got. Be kind. Tell your people you love them. Send someone a heart emoji. And when you do, think of me.” 

Memorial gifts in Jill’s memory may be made to LifeFlight of Maine or the Dempsey Center.

No services are planned at this time.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com. Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.