Joan W. Lane 's Obituary
Joan Wheeler Lane, age 83, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 9, 2020 due to Alzheimer’s disease. An only child to Helen and James Wheeler, she was born on June 23, 1936 and grew up in Salem, New Jersey. Life growing up in the small town of Salem was simple yet filled with wonderful stories that have been entrenched in her children and grandchildren over the years. She was a 1958 graduate of The University of Wisconsin, where she fell in love with her lifelong partner Marvin M. Lane Jr. The two were wed on June 28, 1958 and moved to Dallas shortly thereafter to begin their new lives together.
Joan loved her work as a dietician at Baylor Hospital, displaying her passion for helping others and strong work ethic. She was a philanthropist in every sense of the word, spending countless hours volunteering in Dallas through Northwood Women’s Club, Chi Omega Alumnae, Chi Omega Christmas Market, CONTACT Connection, Chi Omega Mother’s Club and many other organizations. Joan was also a longtime member of St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, where she served as an elder. Throughout her life, she always put others first, making those around her feel loved through her warm-heartedness, perpetual generosity, and wonderful smile.
“Joanie”, as her husband would adoringly call her, was an amazing storyteller, making the way she had to leave this world especially tragic. Fortunately, those stories and memories will forever live on through her family. There was something distinctively comforting in the way in which she would tell these stories, they were witty yet filled with wisdom. Her five grandchildren were drawn to her presence, sitting around for hours at the lake house listening to tales and sharing laughs with their beloved “Mema”. Joan was equally as good of a listener and would always lend an ear to her family members and friends, providing earnest advice. A role model not only for her daughters but for so many others, Joan was deeply admired by those that knew her and will be sorely missed.
Joan and Marv were truly a dynamic duo, sharing a passion for traveling, performing arts, and Dallas sports – she could always be spotted in a crowd by her great hair. They have been all over the world together and loved to take their family on annual trips, passing their thirst for adventure on to them. Joan’s legacy endures on through all those who were graced to be a part of her full, illustrious life.
She is survived by her husband, Marvin Lane; two daughters Beth Lane Anderson and Marlene Lane Christensen and husband Tom; five grandchildren Matt Anderson and wife Sara, Megan Anderson, Nick Christensen, Mollie Anderson, and Austin Christensen.
Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of life will be held at a future date. A family graveside service was held at Restland Cemetery on May 14, 2020. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund (1220 W. Belt Line Road, Richardson, TX 75080), to the Alzheimer’s Association (3001 Knox St, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75205), or to a charity of your choice.
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