Jane H. Marcham

Local journalist and devoted Ithacan, Jane Marcham, died Friday, February 26 at Cayuga Medical Center.

The daughter of Stuart and Margaret Haskins, Jane grew up in New England. She attended Cornell University, graduating in 1951, where she majored in English literature. There she met John Marcham, while both were active on the Cornell Daily Sun. So began their lifelong careers in journalism. Jane and John married in 1951 and moved to NYC where she worked at Women’s Wear Daily and he at Life magazine. They bought a weekly Connecticut newspaper, the Glastonbury Citizen, running the entire operation themselves- setting type, writing copy, and selling advertising. It was not a money-maker and hard work with their first-born, David, in tow but the experience provided family lore for many years.

After a move to Queens and the birth of Bruce, the couple returned to Ithaca. In 1963, when the youngest, Sarah, was in preschool, Jane was inspired to return to the workplace, having read The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. Jane’s lively, clear writing style landed her a job at the Ithaca Journal; her first assignment was a gathering after the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on the Cornell campus. Jane covered the Ithaca City schools and city government for many years. Her dedication to community reporting required that she dash from the family’s dinner table several nights a week to attend Board of Education meetings and, later, meetings at City Hall. She and Judith Horstman wrote a series of articles on a proposed nuclear power plant to be situated on Cayuga Lake. The plant was never built and the reporting earned them a Gannett regional award. Jane concluded her career at the Journal as editor of the editorial page. In 1990, she appeared on the PBS MacNeil Lehrer NewsHour with a panel of representatives of large and small newspapers, reporting on community reaction to the Persian Gulf crisis, rubbing elbows with her heroes. Whether she was writing as a beat reporter or as the Op Ed page editor, Jane’s focus was always to be fair, accurate, and complete, standards she always strived to meet.

Upon retirement, she dove into public life by serving one term on Ithaca Common Council. She then served ten years on Ithaca’s Planning Board. Jane was passionate about protecting the interests of East Hill residents while Collegetown was undergoing development. She kept a close eye on the city’s projects, particularly those that threatened the historic nature of neighborhoods. Parking was a particular passion for her; Ithacans who lamented the absence of available parking found a soulmate in Jane.

Jane made time for many community organizations: the Red Cross, Helping Hands Fund, and a variety of gardening and women’s groups. Volunteering at the History Center was one of her great joys.

The energy and style she brought to writing was also present at home. Jane and John particularly enjoyed the stewardship of their Victorian home on East Hill, the interior a bridge between the old and new. Throughout her life, Jane enriched those around her with her love of music, art, gardens, and deliciously prepared meals. She and John traveled to many corners of the globe, including several countries in Europe, Russia, China, Costa Rica, Haiti, Burkina Faso, and England. Together they enjoyed exploring Haskins family history in New England and their Marcham relatives in England.

Jane was predeceased by her husband John in 2014. She is survived by her children: David of Rochester, MN; Bruce (Deborah) of Cortland, NY; and Sarah (Christopher Lowe) of Freeville, NY. Grandsons: Liam Lowe (Rebecca Cole) of Pittsburgh, PA and Matthew Lowe (Cindy Fifield) of Minneapolis, MN. Jane is also survived by her brothers: Stuart (Katherine) Haskins of Aurora, CO, and David (Sally) Haskins of Phoenix, AZ.

In recognition of Jane’s devotion to Ithaca and her lifelong interest in local history, memorial contributions can be made to The History Center in Tompkins County, ℅ Dave Dier, 110 North Tioga Street, 204 Suite A, Ithaca NY 14850.