Jane Ratcliffe Pulver

Jane Ratcliffe Pulver, 89, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023, after loving visits with family, friends and her beloved dog. All who knew her will miss her caring spirit, generous heart, sense of humor and beautiful smile. Survived by her beloved husband of 63 years, Donald; their daughters, Esther (Andrew), Ellen (James), and Elizabeth (John); grandchildren, Alexandra (Raymond), Taylor, Caroline, Sara, Andrew, Jane and John. She is also survived by the beloved extended family of her best friend and dear brother, John, who passed away in 2017.

Jane was born in Rochester, New York on November 29, 1933 to Esther Henckell and Frederic Andrews Ratcliffe. Jane was born deaf, so she attended Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD) for primary school. She then transitioned to mainstream education at the Harley School, and went on to study at Green Mountain Junior College and graduate from Skidmore College with degrees in home economics and education. After college, she pursued her love of teaching at RSD.

Jane married Donald Pulver in November 1959, and they welcomed their three daughters over the next six years as they moved from Mt. Holly, NJ to Boston, MA and Pittsburgh, PA for Don’s graduate education and subsequent jobs. Jane was active in all of the many school, sports and church organizations in which their daughters were involved. Her dedication to her family was constant, as she drove endless hours and volunteered on countless committees to support her family on their many endeavors, including ice skating, horse showing, gymnastics, softball, music, and church. She also enjoyed her own volunteer commitments with the Junior League of Pittsburgh, the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf and Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church; as well as a nearby bowling league. Jane and Don raised their family in Upper St. Clair, PA, then moved to Villanova, PA in 1985.

Jane became very active in the Philadelphia region as an advocate for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. She was a board member of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (PSD), where she chaired the Development and Special Events Committees as well as the successful 2004 capital campaign that raised over $4 million to build the Early Childhood Center, which provided new space for a thriving Early Intervention Program to provide support and services for deaf infants and their families. It also provided space to enable the school to re-establish its high school program. She also loved using her teaching skills to judge the annual middle school science fair at PSD, challenging students to explain their experiments.

She was also an active board member for the Center for Community and Professional Services (CCPS), a widely-respected deafness resource center, and supported its Job Center for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Adults, which provides assistance for individuals seeking employment. And she served on the board of the Deaf-Hearing Communication Centre (DHCC), which provides sign language interpreting services and classes, among other programs to provide deaf and hard-of-hearing people with essential communication access and support.

Jane also was a member of the Board of Trustees at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for many years, as well as a member of its National Advisory Group (NAG) and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) Foundation Board. Based on her commitment to support deaf and hard-of-hearing NTID students, Jane created an endowed scholarship fund for students enrolled in programs in other RIT colleges. Jane’s significant commitment to PSD, CCPS, RIT and NTID demonstrated her life-long passion for providing quality education and opportunities for all. She believed that with enough hard work and support, anyone could achieve their goals.

Jane’s family was at the center of her life, and family trips to “Bunko,” the family cottage on Seneca Lake, were a source of cherished memories. After her father built the cottage when she was a child, she and her family and friends swam, canoed and socialized on the beautiful bluff overlooking the lake. She raised her own family enjoying the summers there along with her brother, John, and his clan in the neighboring cottage. It has been a central hub of special beauty and family history and memories since the 1940s.

Jane’s love of the outdoors began at an early age, through many summers spent at Camp Northway Lodge in Algonquin Park, Canada. It was there that she learned how to paddle and carry canoes, even on her small frame. The wilderness camp for girls taught her to be strong, self-sufficient and resourceful. Her strength of character and determination were hallmarks of her unique nature and capacity for making the world a better place.

Jane’s love of animals also distinguished her as a devoted steward of God’s creation. She was dedicated to her many dogs over the years, and she would work to make sure that any animal found the care and love it deserved in this world. She supported animal welfare organizations, with a special affinity for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, consistent with her commitment to support individuals with disabilities.

Jane’s love for and pride in her children and grandchildren were boundless. She loved nothing more than to babysit, teach, go for walks, attend sporting events and school concerts, feed the birds, host meals, and entertain the clan and watch the sun set at their pool. Holidays were particularly special events, where “Grandmom” would host festive meals and celebrations for extended family of all ages. She was also known for her great generosity, as she would deliver thoughtful gifts that made the recipients feel loved and cared for. Because she was deaf, she could not talk on the phone, so she left a legacy of beautiful cards and letters written over many years, providing documentation of her energy, observations, dedication, wisdom and love.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, May 13 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 203 N Valley Forge Rd, Devon, PA) followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m.

A light lunch reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, 100 West School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144; psd.org/donate/