Lois Catalano

Lois Lane Catalano

Mom was born at home and grew up the youngest in a large family in rural Texas during the depression and WWII.  She was graced with the stubbornness and strength that all the Lane women inherited. She could make or fix almost anything.  From the myriad of crafts that she sold most of her life, to reupholstering the living room furniture when we couldn’t afford new. She saved everything in the event she might need it later.  A neighbor recently asked me, “did you know she saved the bags from the cereal boxes?”  Despite her frugal mind set she was a grownup kid in many ways.  She loved dolls and surrounded herself with them.  Some she made, some were gifts and some she bought, but all had a place.  She loved to dress in costume and never missed a holiday dress up opportunity.  She was the Easter bunny, Mrs. Claus, the Cat in the Hat, a Pirate, a Clown and a little girl to name a few.  She loved to visit her neighbors in costume to cheer them up and give them a laugh. She often roped my dad into partnering up with her as well.

She loved music, playing the piano and then the organ and also the guitar.  She played for the church and led the church choir during my teen years. She played her organ almost everyday until she could no longer remember how. Sang with the community choir until she could no longer take the practices. And sang along in the car whenever I took her anywhere.

She led my Girl Scout troop, learned my tap dances with me, cheered at my swim meets and attended every play.  She wanted a houseful of kids but was only blessed with me. She worked in a bank til I was born and then stayed at home until it was no longer financially feasible and she returned and worked at that bank til she retired at 61.

She met my father when he was stationed in Texas and they married and moved back to his home town in New Jersey.  They were inseparable, rarely spending free time apart and never leaving me behind either.  Some of my fondest memories are of the three of us wading into the bay and catching crabs with chicken wings on strings tied to a tent pole or sledding down the hill that was just down the street.

Mom overcame heart attacks, breast cancer and the death of her husband and continued to live on her own for another 14 years.  The last 4 years of her life were challenging as dementia slowly wiped away memories and replaced them with confusion. She was never a good cook and for the last years of her life seemed to live on Cheerios and Ice Cream.  After a very short stay at a care facility, Mom passed on at 92. She was a proud and stubborn soul who lived a long and very full life.  She and my father can now waltz across the stars together.

These are some of the comments I have received from friends and family in the last few days.

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She was a wonderful lady and we enjoyed playing Bunco with her. She was so creative with her crafts and I enjoyed seeing all of them. 

Deepest condolences on the passing of your Mom, Sally. I have many fond memories of being in Girl Scouts. She was an amazing leader, giving so much of herself.

I was telling my sister before that we were at St John’s for a Christmas pageant that she and Annie were in. You were in it too. Me and my mom sat with your mom and dad. I was probably 5. Your mom had a pretty wreath pin on her dress. I said I liked it. She took it off and pinned it on my dress.

That is such a nice picture of Aunt Lois. She was a happy soul,  thoughtful, kind and helpful to others. And the Lane stubbornness is a given. Strong women!

Beautiful soul, inside and out. She’s at peace.

Your Mom was just a bright star and a wonderful person. I loved spending time with her.

I'm so sad about your mom. I really enjoyed her. I'm going to miss her everytime I see cheerios and watch the Golden Girls.