Ives, Marilla (Halsted)
Marilla Halsted Ives Middle School librarian, Lover of community
Marilla Halsted Ives, age 95, passed away on April 25th at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, CT after a brief period of illness with leukemia. Born in Brooklyn, New York on January 6, 1926, she was raised in Montclair, NJ and then Washington Depot, CT. Marilla was the daughter of Donald M. Halsted and Barbara Harris Halsted. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward Lee Ives, Jr. in 2011 and her eldest son, Edward Halsted Ives in 1994.
Marilla attended Wykeham Rise School for Girls, where she played field hockey, and Dana Hall in Wellesley, MA where she had a job running the switchboard. She then graduated from Pine Manor College in Wellesley, MA, and next from Barbour Secretarial School in New York City.
In 1945, she became reacquainted with Edward (Bud) Ives, who had just returned from serving in the Army Air Force in the Pacific. They became engaged in 1946 and wed in 1947, then moved to Illinois where they remained for a year and Marilla taught in the LaSallePeru school district.
Marilla and Bud Ives made Litchfield, CT their home in 1948 and fell in love with the community. Their first son, Ned, was born that year. Jeff arrived in 1951 and Chris in 1954. She was a dedicated Middle School librarian for twenty-five years and helped thousands of Litchfield students find sanctuary in the library while learning to love books and reading. Marilla showered her family, friends, and community with kindness and generosity. She was a caring friend and booster of countless community and civic organizations. As she and her dear friend Betty Eisenhauer used to say, “Our husbands volunteered for everything and then the two of us got together and did whatever was needed.” Marilla had a vibrant personality, quick wit, and a love for life. She enjoyed knitting, playing bridge, cooking, and gardening, and had a keen eye for nature. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, she was unwavering in her love and support, always encouraging and enthusiastic about new endeavors. She provided a sense of magic for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, with a twinkle in her eye and an impish smile.
Marilla is survived by her sons Jeffrey and his wife Dolores (Doe) Persich Ives of Portsmouth, NH and Chris and his wife Mishy Lesser of Watertown, MA; her daughter-in-law Karen Ives of Torrington, CT; her grandchildren Melissa Ives and Paul Gill of Northfield, CT, Joshua Ives of Winsted, CT, Brett Ives and Jay Harlow of Brooklyn, NY, and Ryan Ives and Shawna Pochan of Durham, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews who cherished her. She delighted in her three great-grandsons, Paul E. Gill, Sam Gill, and Arthur Pochan Ives.
Due to covid-19, the graveside funeral will be private. At a later date, a memorial service will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do a random act of kindness for someone in need. To honor her love of books and children, and her love of community, you can make a memorial contribution in Marilla's memory to Oliver Wolcott Library , P.O. Box 187, Litchfield, CT 06759 and online at www.owlibrary.org; or to Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 651, Litchfield, CT 06759.
Kindly visit www.thurstonrowefuneralhome.com share memories and condolences with the family.
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