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Jane Petherbridge Ives - Obituary

Jane Petherbridge Ives, 87, of Portland, ME – beloved and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator and author, passed away peacefully at home on July 26, 2026. Jane’s remarkable ability for listening, coaching, and helping others heal and be who God created them to be, impacted all who were blessed to know her.

Jane is survived by her dear husband of 68 years, Bishop S. Clifton "Cliff" Ives; her daughter, Bonnie Marden and her husband, Lee Marden; her son, Stephen Ives and his wife, Lisa Collins; and her son, Jonathan Ives and his wife, Amy Ives. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Sean, Joshua and his wife Sarah Jeanfavre, and Hannah Marden; Amber Collins-Ives, Devin Kelly and her wife Meaghan Kelly, Bethany Ives, and Dorothy Ives; her great-grandson, Samuel August Marden; her sisters-in-law, Peggy Petherbridge, Elizabeth Field and Marilyn Ives; her half-sister, Celia Sue Petherbridge and beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Emery and William Petherbridge, and her brothers, Bill Petherbridge and David Petherbridge and David’s wife Shirley Petherbridge.

Born in Yonkers, New York, on March 17, 1939, Jane grew up in Hallowell, Maine, where she developed a lifelong love for community, family, faith, and the United Methodist Church. Following her graduation from Hallowell High School, Jane attended the University of Maine at Orono as part of the class of 1961, where she graduated early in the summer of 1960 with a bachelor’s degree in English and a certificate in Education. After many fulfilling years teaching, she advanced her career with a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine to continue her work as a learning strategist for exceptional children in the Portland Public Schools. Since 1980, Jane also shared her teaching skills as a Certified Better Marriages Leader and Trainer. Throughout her life, students, colleagues and numerous families experienced her unwavering patience, kindness, wisdom and belief in every person’s potential. Jane's life is a testament to the quiet power of Christian faith lived with grace, with love shared generously, and in service freely offered to others. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, students she inspired, couples she encouraged, churches and ministries she supported and countless lives she touched. Though we deeply miss her, we rejoice in the enduring promise of resurrection and give thanks for a life beautifully and faithfully lived.

Jane and Cliff met in high school in 1955 through United Methodist youth ministry. Jane supported Cliff’s call to ordained ministry and claimed her identity as a clergy spouse. They married on June 6, 1959, at Cox Memorial Church in Hallowell, Maine. Their remarkable partnership spanned more than 70 years of shared ministry in churches and communities throughout the states of Maine and West Virginia, and mission work around the world. Whether welcoming people into their home, supporting congregations, mentoring young clergy families, leading retreats, or simply offering a listening ear, Jane's strength and steadfast faith enriched and blessed people everywhere they served.

Marriage enrichment became one of Jane's lifelong passions. Together, Jane and Cliff led retreats and workshops for couples, proving that healthy marriages strengthen families, churches, and communities. Their experiences inspired Jane's writing career. Jane authored Couples Who Care; Couples Who Cope; They Also Serve: Methodist and United Methodist Bishops Spouses,1940-2018; Transforming Ventures; and Growing Love in Christian Marriage, co-authored with Cliff. She created these resources to strengthen Christian marriages, encourage Volunteers in Mission, and honor the faithful service of bishops' spouses.

Few places reflected Jane's heart more fully than the family lakeside cottage purchased in 1968 on Lower Narrows Pond in Winthrop, Maine, which she named Someplace Else and the nearby United Methodist Church camp, Mechuwana, where she and Cliff honeymooned as camp staff. Jane found immense joy and peace in water. She loved swimming, conversations with family and friends while treading water, watching the loons and the stars, and preparing meals for groups overlooking the lake. The lake, the family cottage, and Mechuwana became sacred ground nurturing faith and lifelong friendships, grounding family traditions and creating enduring memories.

Since 2020, Jane and Cliff embraced Park Danforth, in Portland Maine, as their home. Jane adopted this community and other residents with the warmth, generosity and hospitality that defined her life. Whether in the classroom, around a kitchen table, at a retreat, beside a lakeside campfire, or by email, Jane encouraged others to recognize their gifts, deepen their faith, and claim their God-given identity.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Ives Family Fund for Mechuwana which enables future generations to experience the faith-filled ministry so cherished by Jane and her family. Generations of the Ives family have been campers, counselors, staff, volunteers, and faithful supporters of Mechuwana.

Visiting hours will be Friday, August 28, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home located at 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine. A Memorial Service celebrating Jane's life will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 10:00 a.m. at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. Following the Memorial Service there will be a 3:00 p.m. gathering for prayer and reflections at Cox Memorial United Methodist Church in Hallowell, Maine, and a graveside committal service at Forest Grove Cemetery in Augusta, Maine. All are welcome to attend as we celebrate a life well lived.

2024 NEJ Journal

The 2024 NEJ Journal is now availble as a PDF dowload or you can order a color or B&W print from lulu which is a paperback coil bound print.

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