On January 1st, 2014, our loving mother and wife, Lori Pfanstiehl Ives, passed away in her sleep from complications of a stroke and congestive heart failure. She lived a full life and we are blessed and honored to have been a part of it. A professional musician (violist), mother, teacher, philanthropist, and volunteer, she touched so many people within her own community, in and around Southern California and further reaches.
We have set up this site in hopes of connecting with all her dear friends and family around the globe. We would like you to leave a word, a sentence, a paragraph or whatever you feel you can and want to say here on this website as a way of letting us, her, and others know how she left an impression upon your life. Mom always had such a great way with words in addition to being a wonderful story teller. We are sure she is reading down upon this site and feeling your love, warmth and emotions, embracing your kind words and solace.
Born the youngest of four children in Highland Park, Illinois on January 27th, 1928. A day she would proudly tell you she shared with one of her favorite composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, just a mere 172 years apart. She was apparently destined for the finer arts. She loved music and learned to play the viola and piano at a young age, setting in motion her life path. She attended the Sorbonne University Paris to pursue her passion of classical music, later becoming a proud member of many performing groups throughout the Southern California area. She performed with several local Symphony’s and Orchestras for dozens of years and was host to many a packed in-house concert at her own home in Claremont.
After moving to Claremont to be closer to her mother and to further her education, she attended Harvey Mudd College where she became the second woman to graduate from HMC. She was smitten with a certain professor by the name of Robin Ives, and soon after her graduation they made it permanent and public when they married on June 7th, 1961. Three years later they adopted a son, James, and ten months after that a daughter, Alice, giving her the family life she always longed for. They spent many a summer hiking, camping and leading their friends and family towards the mountains, sharing its pure beauty and their strong passion for protecting this environment.
Lori started a nonprofit publishing business, Ives Community Office, which she ran out of her converted garage. She put many dedicated hours into helping others with mailings, newsletters and assorted publications. A business that grew out of a passion for giving back to the community and helping organizations she held near and dear to her heart.
She was tremendously inspirational in our lives and a positive role model for so many of her colleagues. She truly cared for those she met. Lori was a vibrant lady and always the life of the party. She shared many fond memories of you, her friends, with us and we hope you continue to hold her memory in your hearts as she will forever be etched in ours. Please take a moment to reflect on how Lori has touched your life as well.
Peace to you all and thank you for being a continued part of her life.
Here we love and honor her name, Lori… Mom, Wife, Friend.
