Persis-Jane Cline

Persis-Jane Peeples Cline died peacefully in her home on Sunday July 14. She was 95. “I feel like a lovely light has gone out,” said her friend Ellen Bedichek.

PJ was born in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois to Cornelius and Mary-Florine Peeples and 4 wonderful brothers. Cornelius died in 1931 at age 53, when PJ was only 14. MF died, visiting in Scarsdale, in 1979, at age 93.

After graduating from the University of Chicago School of Business in 1940, she held various positions in business before volunteering into the Navy WAVES in May 1944. Lieutenant Peeples was posted in Boston, Massachusetts as a paymaster for the V-12 Navy College Training Program, before an honorable discharge in August 1946.

PJ met John F. Cline on a blind date in Dallas, Texas and married him in 1947. They soon moved into her Scarsdale "starter home", staying over 65 years. John died in July 2004, at age 87.

Said their friend Richard Esser, “We should all be so lucky to have such friends for life.”

PJ was president of the 1956 Junior League, 1965-66 Greenacres PTA, and 1980-81 Scarsdale Congregational Church Guild. She was also a 1963-66 Girl Scout Leader and longtime member of the Scarsdale Woman's Club, Auxiliary of White Plains Hospital, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames, Scarsdale Congregational Church, Scarsdale Golf Club, and the Shenorock Shore Club in Rye.

PJ was the last living of her 4 brothers and 9 first cousins. PJ is survived by her daughter Margo of Pelzer, South Carolina, son Ted of Loveland, Colorado, and in-laws Jane and Eric Bessels now in Gilbert, South Carolina. PJ rests with her dear husband in Ferncliff, Hartsdale, NY.

Her son said, “My mother was an elegant, loving and generous lady. I miss her greatly.”

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, November 6, 2013, 2:30PM at The Scarsdale Congregational Church, One Heathcote Road, Scarsdale, NY 10583. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to The Scarsdale Congregational Church, or the Wounded Warrior Project at www.helpwwp.org .