Jane Lindsey Nies, 96, of Orlando, Florida and Southport Island, Maine, passed away on Feb. 5, 2023.

She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 18, 1926, a daughter of Alfred E. and Winifred (Newton Jones) Lindsey. She graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Denison University in 1948 and earned a master of liberal studies from Rollins College in 1991.

Jane married Perry L. Nies, also of Cleveland on June 16, 1951 and raised her family of three children in Lynnfield, Massachusetts, before moving to Florida in 1970. In 2014, son Jim Blauvelt reentered her life to her great joy. Jane spent her summers in her beautiful home in Newagen, Southport Island, Maine beginning in 1967. The nature that surrounded her—her garden, the birds, the vistas— offered her tremendous pleasure, comfort, and spiritual growth.

Jane actively pursued her spiritual path, one which found expression in her relationships to others and her ongoing community service. She was the co-founder of Walking the Mourner’s Path, a grief program started at All Saints Episcopal Church, which has since spread across the nation. In 1985, she was instrumental in forming a board to support El Hogar: The Home of Love and Hope in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and she remained a strong supporter throughout her life.

Jane is survived by her husband Perry, four children, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren: Jim Blauvelt and his wife June, parents of James D. and his wife Dawn and children Peyton and Dylan; Jonathan, son Finn, and partner Michelle; and daughter Candace and partner Chris; Nancy Nies and her husband David, and children Sarah and Elizabeth; David Nies and his wife Karen and daughter Christina; Betsy Nies, and extended family.

A service will be held at All Saints By The Sea in Southport on July 29 at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to El Hogar Ministries at El Hogar (elhogar.org), or sent to 29 Cummings Park, Suite 404, Woburn, MA 01801.