Jadine Raynes O'Brien

Jadine Raynes O'Brien, 94, of Portland and formerly Peaks Island died March 29, 2026 at The Cedars Assisted Living due to complications brought on by Alzheimer's disease.

Born August 27, 1931 in Whitman, Massachusetts, Jadine was the daughter of John and Eunice (Nesmith) Raynes. She graduated from Whitman High School in 1948. Following graduation, she matriculated to Westbrook Junior College (subsequently known as Westbrook College and now part of University of New England) from where she graduated in 1951 with an A.A. in Journalism. Jadine would later earn a B.S. in Education at the University of Southern Maine, Portland and a M.S. in Public Administration at the University of Maine, Augusta.

Jadine married John "Jack" O'Brien on November 2, 1952 and they had two daughters, Joy and Jill. In 1957, the family moved to Portland where Jadine assumed the position of Alumnae Director at Westbrook College. She would go on to hold the positions of Assistant Director of Admissions and Dean of Women. When her girls were young, Jadine passed her love of skiing and horseback riding on to them, starting them out early with trips to the stables and the ski slopes.

Jadine enjoyed living part of the year on Peaks Island where she planted and attended to her elaborate gardens. (As a young woman, Jadine had studied at Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston and worked for a time as a florist.) Not one to sit idle, Jadine actively participated in many island organizations, activities, and events. Jadine also liked to head south to Charleston, South Carolina for a month or more each spring where she developed a fondness for sweetgrass baskets, handmade by Gullah artisans.

Beginning with the Kennedy Presidential campaign, Jadine, along with her husband Jack became active in the Democratic Party in Maine. In 1968, Jadine directed the Maine 1st Congressional District office in Portland and attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago as an alternate. In 1969, Jadine became the Director of the Model Cities Program for the City of Portland. In 1974, Jadine launched a bid for the U.S. House of Representatives, to represent Maine's 1st Congressional District. She lost to the incumbent in the primary and later that year went on to become the Director of the Portland Center for Community Dental Health. In 1979, Gov. Joseph Brennan tapped Jadine to serve as a member of his cabinet and as Commissioner, Maine Department of Personnel and then in 1980, to serve as Director, Maine Division of Community Services. In 1984 Jadine became Director, Legislative Relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Maine and held that position through 2000.

Jadine also participated in, and held positions within, many organizations on a voluntary basis. She was a Board Member of United Way of Greater Portland and Maine Human Rights Commission, Treasurer of Citizens for a Healthy Portland and Greater Portland Fluoridation Campaign, Member & Chair of Portland Planning Board, Member Portland Chamber of Commerce Public Policy Committee, Board Member Friends of Evergreen Cemetery, and Volunteer Driver Independent Transportation Network, and numerous others.

Jadine is survived by her daughter Jill and her husband, Peter Thiel of Portland/Peaks Island and his children Caitlin Thiel, her husband Neil Jordan, and their daughter Méabh Jordan of Maynooth, Ireland and Robert Thiel and his wife Claire (Phillips) Thiel of Atlanta, Georgia. Jadine is also survived by her sister Janice (Raynes) Kent of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts and her brother Butch Raynes and his wife Sandy of Middleboro, Massachusetts and by numerous nieces and nephews. Jadine was predeceased by her parents, her husband Jack, her daughter Joy, and her brother-in-law Don Kent.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-6 PM on Monday April 6, 2026, at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Avenue. A funeral service will be 10 Am Tuesday April 7th at Trinity Episcopal Church on Forest Avenue. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery on Stevens Avenue.

Memorial donations may be made to: Portland Public Library - Burbank Branch, 377 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME 04103