Jane Bley Ridley

Jane Bley Ridley of Ithaca passed away on February 2, 2026, at Strong Memorial Hospital. She was 71 years old.

The daughter of the late Harriett and Hy Bley, she was born on January 15, 1955, in Queens, NY.

Jane graduated from Binghamton University and subsequently from the Culinary Institute of America. Jane was a passionate foodie who devoted her professional life to the culinary arts. She served as a Chef Instructor in Culinary Arts at Cornell University, where she was deeply committed to teaching and mentoring students. Through her work, she shared not only technical skill, but also an appreciation for food as craft, culture, and community. Her dedication to education and her love of cooking left a lasting impression on those she taught and worked alongside. In her retirement, she continued to care for her family and friends in the way she knew best: by feeding them. She was a hostess at heart and deeply loyal.

Beloved wife of Kenneth D. Ridley of Ithaca. Devoted mother of Julia M. Ridley and her husband Julian Whitman of Waltham, MA. Cherished grandmother of Hayden Isaac. Dear sister of Jonathan Bley and his wife Lena. Adored aunt of Esther Bley. Fond cousin of Beth Kaplan.

Services will take place at 11:30 AM on Thursday, February 5th, at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 East Main Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771, with Rabbi Rebecca Pomerantz Shinder officiating. Guests are invited to comfort the family from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM prior to services. Immediately following the service, burial will take place at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sparrowbush, NY.