Lane

On Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, Irene Marie Lane, loving wife, mother and grandma peacefully passed away at the age of 83 at UPMC Passavant Hospital, with her devoted husband and family by her side.

Irene was born in Pittsburgh, on Sept. 13, 1939, to the late John W. Wittmann and Rita G. (Kasper) Wittmann. She grew up in Elliott, Pa., before moving to Zelienople and graduating from Zelienople High School in 1957.

She began working at a young age for Kasper’s grocery, riding on the delivery truck and helping deliver groceries to customers for her grandfather’s grocery. Prior to becoming a mother, she was employed at Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator and at Quaker Oats as a bookkeeper. Later she dedicated many years of service as a telephone operator at UPMC Passavant Hospital before retiring.

Irene also was an active and faithful member of St. Matthias Catholic Church of Evans City and Divine Grace Parish, St. Gregory Catholic Church of Zelienople. She shared her faith by teaching catechism to children. She remained active her entire life, sharing her gifts and talents while volunteering for countless community activities.

On June 10, 1967, she married Kenneth A. Lane, of Zelienople. They celebrated 56 happy years of marriage. Together, they lovingly raised two daughters, Joan and Susan, and a son, Brian. Irene also was a wonderful grandmother to five grandsons, John, Robert, Alexander, Ian and Rory.

Irene enjoyed playing table tennis, competing at St. Martin’s School in grades nine through 11. She also liked solving puzzles and playing games. Most of all, she loved spending time with and being of service to her family and friends.

She led an exemplary life, showing compassion and thoughtfulness to everyone she met. Irene was a beacon of light and kindness.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; children, Joan and Robert (son-in-law) Taylor, Susan and Brian (son-in-law) O’Leary and Brian and Kathy (daughter-in-law) Lane; five grandchildren; siblings, Jack Wittmann, Joyce Hanson, Richard Wittmann and Deborah Brownley; as well as many nieces and nephews.

LANE — A memorial mass for Irene Marie Lane, who died Friday, Aug. 18, 2023, is planned for 1 p.m. Friday at Divine Grace Parish, St. Gregory Catholic Church, 2 W. Beaver St., Zelienople.

Arrangements have been entrusted to SAUL-GABAUER FUNERAL HOME, 273 Route 68, Rochester, Pa.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of Irene may be made to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America at myasthenia.org, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society at nationalmssociety.org or the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.