West Seattle woman dies in Thailand; food poisoning suspected

Shannon Felix, proprietor of Avalon Glassworks in the Luna Park district, sends this news: 27-year-old West Seattle resident Jill St. Onge has died in Thailand, one of two tourists whose deaths are suspected to be linked to food poisoning. Ms. St. Onge worked at Shadow Land, where we took the photo at left during last year’s Junction Trick-or-Treating. She and the other woman who died, a 22-year-old from Norway, were staying at a guest house on Phi Phi Island, according to this article from a local news site, the Andaman Times. The story quotes Ryan Kells, Ms. St. Onge’s fiance, an Avalon Glassworks employee who was traveling with her. Ms. St. Onge had been writing about their travels on this personal website; the last update was a week before her death. The Andaman Times article says an autopsy is being done in Bangkok to find out more about what killed her. Ms. St. Onge and Kells were supposed to return home next week after 3 months overseas. ADDED 4:48 PM: Thanks to Shell for finding and sharing this link – a website set up by family/friends to tell more about what happened to Ms. St. Onge and what’s happening now.

Glenda May 5, 2009 (1:03 pm)

Wow, reading that last post on the personal blog, is about one of the most depressing reads I’ve had in a while – as it is just such a normal, sunny update on a trip that goes terribly wrong. My heart goes out to Ryan Kells and the family of St. Onge.

Linda May 5, 2009 (1:24 pm)

Thank you Shannon for this nice article. My daughter Jill was my sunshine, and we are all extremely devasted. Jill loved everyone and talked often of her friends in Seattle. Ryan will need all our love and support.
Love Linda (Jill’s Mom)

Katy L May 5, 2009 (1:26 pm)

I’m so sorry–my heart goes out to Jill’s fiance and her family.

carrieann May 5, 2009 (1:35 pm)

How incredibly tragic. Reading her blog, you could easily get a sense of what a vibrant and wonderful person she was. I am so sorry, and send my most sincere condolences to the family, fiance and friends of Jill.

d. May 5, 2009 (1:46 pm)

That is just horrible…she was a great person and will be missed…RIP…

Johnny Davies May 5, 2009 (1:49 pm)

Such a tragic loss. Her sunny smile & infectious energy will be missed by all of us who had the good fortune to meet & spend time with her. From all of us bowlers who hang at West Seattle Bowl, our deepest sympathies go out to Family, Friends & Ryan. You are in our thoughts and prayers. You will me missed Stoingee.

West Seattle Art Attack May 5, 2009 (2:12 pm)

I am sitting in Southern Italy at 11 pm with tears in my eyes. I did not know Jill but Ryan and I blew glass many times together. I can not imagine the depth his pain. I am bringing my family to Thailand on vacation in two weeks and this, frankly, has me fearing for their health for the first time ever (to this extent). A flower will be planted in Puglia on Jill’s behalf. It is a very simple gesture but from the heart. . . . .

Ivonne May 5, 2009 (2:13 pm)

Jill was a lovely, talented and amazing lady, I miss her so much and I feel so sorry for her family and for Ryan. She will always be in my hearth.

Love, Ivonne.

ellenater May 5, 2009 (2:49 pm)

I am so sorry for everyone involved. What a sad and tragic event! I was reading her blog too and she seemed really fun. So random.

I am so sorry! Best wishes in your sad time…

Tracy D May 5, 2009 (2:55 pm)

My heart goes out to Ryan and Jill’s family…as well as her extended family at the Shadowland. She was such a sweetheart, I know how crushed they all must be. A horrible loss for the West Seattle community…

onceachef May 5, 2009 (3:47 pm)

This is awful…my condolences to the family and her fiance.

JEM May 5, 2009 (4:04 pm)

A bright shiny spot will be forever missed from monday night bowling. Ryan, our thoughts are with you.

cruiser May 5, 2009 (4:12 pm)

Linda,

I had the pleasure of meeting with Jill one time in Shadowland. I have also spent some time on Koh Phi Phi. I am very sorry for your loss and hope that you can take some solace from knowing that Jill passed in one of the most beautiful place on earth.

By travelling, she did what so many only talk of.

Go neiri an bothar leat, Jill.

Martin,Anne & Emer

KM May 5, 2009 (4:30 pm)

This gives me the goosebumps. My husband and I were JUST on Koh Phi Phi a month ago! But Cruiser is right…she passed in one of the most beautiful places in the world. My thoughts are with Jill’s family during this difficult time.

miws May 5, 2009 (5:28 pm)

My condolences to Linda, Ryan, and all of Jill’s other family and friends.

Mike

AR May 5, 2009 (5:36 pm)

I only met Jill a few times, but she was definitely one of those people who left an impression. She was such a sweetheart and had an infectious smile. Ryan was just as pleasant. My thoughts and prayers go out to those close to her.

Jessie SK May 5, 2009 (7:46 pm)

Everyone at Skylark is just stunned and saddened by this tragedy. We just got a postcard from Jill & Ryan here a few days before this happened. Our deepest condolences to her family. Jill was a wonderful person and we’ll all miss her a lot. Ryan…let us know if there’s anything at all we can do for you.

jackie May 5, 2009 (7:57 pm)

I am so sad. She was on a Monday night league at West Seattle Bowl. She was young, vibrant, happy and a breath of fresh air. So sad for Ryan. They were a cute and happy couple.

Nease May 5, 2009 (10:24 pm)

My prayers go out to her family and friends.

s May 6, 2009 (7:59 am)

Her brother’s video for more info…

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-254369

digg it so that more people will see it.

supernova72 May 6, 2009 (8:04 am)

I too had met Jill and Ryan several times. A very special couple indeed. I recall Yoga stories and the latest events going on around town. My thoughts and prayers are Jill, Ryan, and family.

Rachel May 6, 2009 (10:43 am)

Jill was one of the most generous people I’ve ever met – with her time, her creativity, her smile and laughter. She will be greatly missed.

Maj-Britt Zelmer May 6, 2009 (10:46 am)

I am so so sorry. For Jill, Ryan and your families. Jill was wonderful and had a great sense of humor.
Today I planted a tree in my garden for her. In danish its called a paradise-appletree… think it would be a tree that she would have liked. Kind of wild with pink flowers and tiny pink apples. You’re in my heart allways and a shining star on my ankle.

phi-phi.com May 6, 2009 (9:22 pm)

According to latest news sources cyanide might have been the poison responsible. This would point to poisoned food or water being the reason of death.

Source: http://phi-phi.com/phiphi-forum/article.php?f=4&t=7317#p11367

Cayn Thompson May 8, 2009 (7:28 pm)

Ryan, I am so sorry. I know how hard you guys were working to take that trip. Please let the community know of anything we can do. I am just so stunned and so very saddened. Please let me know if I can help in any way. My thoughts are with you Bro.

Marcia Downs May 10, 2009 (4:07 pm)

Linda I’m so very sorry to hear of Jill’s death. This is heartbreaking. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. (You probably don’t remember me, I’m Nick’s mom)

Sorry, comment time is over.