Viola Simons Lane

VIOLA SIMONS LANEViola Simons Lane, 100, of 42 East Main Street, Dryden, New York, died on April 10, 2018, at the Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cortland, New York.

Mrs. Lane was born on April 29, 1917, at Woodhull, New York, the daughter of Edmond H. Simons and Lettie McLean Simons. When she was a small girl her family moved to Dryden where she attended Dryden schools. She loved to play women’s basketball and lettered in the sport. She graduated high school in 1936.

In 1940, she married Thomas O. Lane. They had two sons, Thomas O. Lane II (wife, Debra Lane) of Cape Coral, Florida, and Michael Edmond Lane, of Dryden. She was predeceased by her husband in 1990, and is survived by her sons, five grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was the last surviving of her parents’ seven children.

In 1982, Mrs. Lane retired from SCM Corp. in Cortland, New York. For some years she wintered in Florida with her companion, Donald Edwards, who also predeceased her, but she dearly loved her home in Dryden, taking care of it (including mowing the lawn at age 99), and caring for Cato, her Maine Coon cat, and Nike her Newfoundland dog. Many years ago she had been a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Dryden Fire Department. She was a current member of the Dryden Town Historical Society and a communicant of Holy Cross Church in Dryden.

Mrs. Lane’s family wishes to especially thank nieces, Sandra Manca and Diane Williams, who helped so she could stay at home.

Funeral services will be held at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden, New York on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 1 PM with Fr. Daniel Ruiz-Sierra officiating. Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Thursday,April 19th, 2018 from 5 to 7 PM.

Memorial donations in Mrs. Lane’s name are graciously directed to the Dryden Town Historical Society, P.O. Box 69, Dryden, New York 13053; The Southworth Library Association, P.O. Box 45, Dryden, New York 13053; or Holy Cross Church, 375 George Road, Freeville, New York 13068.