Jane E. Ireland

Rye — Jane E. Ireland, 85, of Rye, passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. Jane was born in Everett, MA, on October 3, 1940, a daughter of the late Henry and Edith (Drover) Erickson. Jane was raised in Sanbornton, NH, and was a graduate of Laconia High School, Class of 1958. After high school she attended the University of NH where she studied Liberal Arts and also where she met the love of her life. She began her career as a bank teller with a local bank, and in 1982 she joined the Town of Rye as the Town Clerk. A few years later she became the Town Clerk/Tax Collector as the town merged the two positions into one. She retired in 2008 after 26 years of dedicated service to the town. Even after retirement, she continued to serve the town she loved as Treasurer and Bookkeeper to the Trustees of Trust Funds until her second retirement in 2023. Jane cherished raising her family with her beloved husband at their home in Rye. She had a great sense of humor and a quick wit. Jane had a deep lifelong love for art & drawing, good old rock and roll music, horses, the family dogs & cats, and of course her Boston Celtics (she never missed a game). She was also known as the "cool mom" to the kids in the neighborhood. Jane looked forward to family dinners and was especially known for hosting the very best Thanksgiving gatherings. Later in life, one of her favorite things to do during the summer was to sit on the porch in the afternoon with a glass of scotch and watch the hummingbirds gather around the feeders. She leaves her husband of 63 years, Edward Ireland; her daughters Janice Ireland and Julie Thibodeau and partner Jason Whiteman; her son Jeffrey Ireland; and her stepchildren Wanda Millett and husband John, and Christine Barnum and husband Larry, along with their children and grandchildren. She also leaves her brother Paul Erickson and his wife Linda, along with their children and grandchildren; nieces Jill Lee & Beth Riggs and their children and grandchildren, as well as her beloved grandchildren, Ryan Thibodeau and Madison Ireland. Jane was predeceased by her parents and brother, Carl Erickson, of El Paso, TX. No services are planned at this time. A celebration of life will be held at some point in the future.

Jane E. Ireland

October 3, 1940 - December 3, 2025