Obituary: Jane Petherbridge Ives
Jane Petherbridge Ives
PORTLAND – Jane Petherbridge Ives, 87, of Portland, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator and author, died peacefully at home July 26, 2026. Jane’s remarkable gifts listening, coaching, and helping others be who God created them to be, impacted all those blessed to know her. Jane’s life is a testament to the quiet power of Christian faith lived with grace, love and service to others. Though we deeply miss her, we give thanks for a life beautifully and faithfully lived.
Jane is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bishop S. Clifton “Cliff” Ives; her daughter, Bonnie and Lee Marden, her son, Stephen Ives and Lisa Collins, and her son, Jonathan and Amy Ives; and her cherished grandchildren, Sean, Joshua and Sarah Jeanfavre, and Hannah Marden; Amber Collins-Ives, Devin and Meaghan Kelly; Bethany and Dorothy Ives; sisters-in-law Peggy Petherbridge, Elizabeth Field and Marilyn Ives; her half-sister, Celia Sue Petherbridge; and beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Emery and William Petherbridge; and brothers Bill Petherbridge, David and Shirly Petherbridge.
Born in Yonkers, N.Y., (March 17, 1939) Jane grew up in Hallowell, Maine, where she developed a lifelong love for community, family, and the United Methodist Church. Following graduation from Hallowell High School, Jane graduated from the University of Maine at Orono (1961), with a bachelor’s degree in English and Education certificate. While working as a learning strategist for exceptional children in the Portland Public Schools, she completed a master’s degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine. Students, colleagues and numerous families experienced her unwavering patience, kindness, wisdom and belief in every person’s potential.
Jane and Cliff met in 1955 through United Methodist youth ministry and married on June 6, 1959, at Cox Memorial UMC in Hallowell. Their remarkable partnership spanned more than 70 years of shared ministry in churches and communities throughout Maine and West Virginia, and global missions work.
Marriage enrichment became a lifelong passion. As a Certified Better Marriages Leader and Trainer, she and Cliff led couples retreats building healthy marriages. 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.
Jane deeply loved a family cottage in Winthrop, and nearby United Methodist Church camp, Mechuwana, Jane found immense joy and peace near and in water. She loved treading water, watching the loons and the stars, and preparing meals for groups overlooking the lake.
Since 2020, Jane and Cliff embraced Park Danforth, in Portland, as their home. Jane cared for 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.
Visiting hours are Friday, Aug. 28, from 4 to 7 p.m., at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland. A memorial service celebrating Jane’s life is Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10 a.m. at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church in Cape Elizabeth. At 3 p.m., family and friends will gather at Cox Memorial United Methodist Church in Hallowell.
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.
Gifts may be submitted online at
https://umfne.org/ways-to-give/camps-youth-programs/camp-mechuwana-fund/
or may be mailed to:
Ives Family Fund for Mechuwana
c/o UMFNE
42 Route 111, Suite 200
Derry, NH 03038
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