In Memory: Bess June Lane, Age 91
Elizabeth June Lane (known as Bess June), wife of John Lane, mother of Clem, Virginia, Diana and Mary Kate, proud grandmother of Harrison, Currie, Gwen, Jack, Finn, Teag, Kinzie, Billy, Maggie and Mary Ita, died peacefully in her sleep on May 2, 2024, surrounded by her daughters.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Bess June went on to earn her B. A. in English from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, Minnesota. She met John Lane soon after college; they wed in 1958 and embarked on a 62-years-long marriage that was living testimony to the verse from the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians: “love never fails.” Bess June’s anchoring their home and advocating for each of her children both complemented and made it possible for her husband to pursue his vocation as a network news producer and bureau chief.
Together with her husband, she was an active, generous contributor to the social justice ministry of the Catholic Church. Bess June was engaged simultaneously in the works of mercy carried out by several organizations across the region: Red Cross blood drives through her parish, the Church of the Resurrection in Rye; the TWIG for United Hospital in Portchester; Helping Hands for the Hungry and Homeless in Westchester. For decades, Bess June and John helped prepare Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the guests of Part Of The Solution (P.O.T.S.), a soup kitchen and shelter for the homeless and hungry in the Bronx. She also served on the board at The Osborn and for Helping Hands.
Bess June Lane was unambiguous in communicating her unconditional love to her husband, their children and grandchildren. She had a few pleasures she shared generously with others: her love of music, from Frank Sinatra to Broadway to the Opera; her voracious appetite for literature, Jane Austen and Anthony Trollope in particular. Those fortunate to have had the privilege of knowing her well know this: she had an understated sense of humor that said more than you might imagine with only a raised eyebrow or the deadpan repetition of a teasing phrase, such as the one she traded with zest with her husband: “marriage is a crapshoot.” Just not theirs.
Arrangements are as follows: the Wake will be Monday, May 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Graham Funeral Home, 1036 Boston Post Road, Rye, New York. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, May 7, at 10:00 AM, Church of the Resurrection, 910 Boston Post Road, Rye, New York.
In lieu of flowers, should you wish to honor Bess June, please send donations to: Part of the Solution (P.O.T.S.), 2759 Webster Avenue, Bronx, New York 10458.
I am shocked and saddened to learn about the death of Bess June Lane who I worked with at POTs and another church group. I knew her daughter Kate from the School of the Holy Child where I was the public relations and development director. They were a lovely family all working for others and helping the needy. When I learned of John’s death, I wrote Bess June, but didn’t receive a rely. Perhaps she was ill or unable to communicate. I offer my sincere sympathy to her family for the loss of their dear mother and will include her in my prayers as I do now for her husband. Bess June was a lovely sweet person as well as a spiritual woman. Sincerely, Jeanne Carley