Grace Louise (Skehan) Lane, of Needham and Osterville, formerly of Waban, passed away on April 9, 2008. She was 80 years old. She was the beloved wife of the late John R. Lane.
Born on March 11, 1928 at the Glover Memorial Hospital, she was the first daughter to the late Ada Louise and John M. Skehan. Grace was soon joined by her sister Ada Marie, born on August 27, 1929. Their home was located on Laurel Drive in what used to be called the Oak Hill section of Needham. Her father, John, enlisted and served in World War I. His battalion was involved in intense trench warfare. The lasting effects of daily battle in the trenches resulted in traumatic mental illness for him. He was cared for at Bedford Military Hospital for the rest of his life. For his service to his country, he received a purple heart and an honorable discharge.
The family remained in Needham with their mother at the helm. Ada worked in town at the Vita Needle Company and the Tillotson Rubber Company. The neighbors and townspeople of the close community provided a wonderful support system in which to raise her girls alone. Today as you walk through Needham many of the places of Grace’s youth are still visible. Grace attended the Stephen Palmer School and graduated class of 1947, from Needham High School. She was a member of the Rainbow Girls and the Christ Episcopal Church. Her summers were spent at Camp Melcomb, the Girl Scout Camp on Rosemary Lake. Popular storefronts in town were Kinne’s Pharmacy, Bowling Green, Needham Theater and The Crest.
Grace was married in May of 1951 to John R. Lane at St. Joseph’s Parish. Like many young couples, as soon as they were married their lives quickly changed. John worked at building their family plumbing and heating business, Kerivan-Lane. They were blessed with five healthy children all of whom are actively involved in the business. Kerivan-Lane has had three locations in Needham. The first on Great Plain Avenue, was lost in the notable fire of 1979. Their marriage continued until John passed away in November of 1999.
Shortly after John’s death, Grace moved to North Hill. When she moved into her apartment she felt she had come full circle with her life. Needham was the place she called home. North Hill offered her a beautiful view of Needham High and the annual fireworks. Her daily trips throughout town provided her with the things for today and warm memories of the places she frequented years ago.
Grace is survived by her five children; Katherine Wunder and her husband Richard of Norwood, John K. Lane and his wife Nancy of Norwood, Deborah Lane-Lesbirel and her husband Paul of Millis, Christopher M. Lane and his wife Deirdre of Medfield and Suzanne L. Bandanza and her husband James of Needham. She also leaves 13 grandchildren and her sister, Ada Covington of Eliot, ME.
Visiting hours for Grace will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 1305 Highland Ave., Needham, on Friday, April 11, from 4-8 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 12, at 11 AM in the Grace Church of Dover, 21 Centre St., Dover. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Grace’s memory to the Grace Church Memorial Garden, 21 Centre St., Dover, MA 02030.