Jane Cowling Bennett Ford of Fieldbrook passed away in her home at the age of 77 on June 14, 2023. She was born in Bennington on January 28, 1946. 

Jane grew up on a farm in Sandgate, Vermont, and even though her family moved to Garden Grove, California when she was eight years old, she always spoke fondly of her formative years there. Seeking a change of scenery, Jane moved north to Humboldt County as soon as she finished high school and enrolled at Humboldt State University. There she received a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Physical Education. Jane loved Humboldt County so much that she convinced her family to relocate to Ferndale, where they purchased The Shaw House as their family home.

After college Jane found herself working as a flight attendant for American Airlines, spending a year in New York City and then landing in San Francisco, where she settled for a number of years. When she wasn’t working, she was using her airline perks to travel the world to places such as Bali, New Zealand, Greece, and the United Kingdom; following a lifelong passion for travel and adventure.

Jane found her way back to Humboldt in her late 20s and discovered her passion for gardening that would stick with her for the rest of her life. Jane was a master gardener and transformed many a barren landscape into an oasis of hedges and rock lined garden beds, filled with an array of beautiful flowers, fruit trees and berries. 

In her 30s, Jane met her first husband (Jerry Peterson) and started a family, settling in Arcata where she lovingly raised her three children. Around the same time she also pursued her passion for helping people and spent many years volunteering at Hospice. It wasn’t until her 40s (once her kids were in school) that she could finish pursuing a Masters Degree in Psychology at Humboldt State University, eventually becoming a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.

Jane spent many years enjoying her practice and caring for her family. In the summers, Jane and her second husband (John Schmidt) would load the kids and luggage into a big van and embark on month-long road trips around the country, sharing her adventurous spirit with the rest of her family.

Jane’s dedication to helping and caring for others was evident throughout her life. She always said her work as a Marriage and Family Therapist was fulfilling and rewarding because she was able to provide support and care to members of her community. In her personal life Jane’s favorite hobbies were making chocolates and gardening. Both were talents she was always happy to share with others. She delighted friends and family with her extensive assortment of chocolates during the holidays and for the rest of the year invited others to share in the beauty of her garden oasis that she spent countless hours sculpting and caring for.

In her later years, Jane found joy indulging in her love for reading, taking bike rides around Fieldbrook, tending her garden, caring for her cats and chickens, and spending time with her neighborhood friends.

Jane is survived by her three children, Emily Ford-Peterson, Lauren (Matthew Lyles) Ford-Peterson, and Jonathan Ford-Peterson; her granddaughter Amelia Lyles; her brothers,

Tom (Lori) Ford and Tim (Sheila) Ford; her nieces and nephews, Brian Viall, Gary (Debbie) Viall, Sharon (Mark) Viall Drown, Sara Ford (Mike) Cortes, Greg (Dena) Ford; her many great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews, as well as her close friends and neighbors.

Jane is preceded in death by her parents Frank Ford and Jeannette Owens Ford, her sister Dora Ford, her sister-in-law Catherine Ford, and her niece Renee Ford.

Jane Ford will be remembered for her boundless love for gardening, her witty spirit, her calm and compassionate nature, and her contributions to her community. Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Jane’s life will be celebrated at her family home in Fieldbrook on Saturday, August 12. For more information contact lfordpete@gmail.com.

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