Barbara French Lane

Wolfeboro - Barbara French Lane, 82, died Saturday, May 7 at Huggins Hospital, Wolfeboro, NH after a brief illness. Mrs. Lane was born November 25, 1928, in Rochester, NH the daughter of William I. French and Lillian G. (Evans) French. After graduating from Spaulding High School in 1946, she received a B. S. in Physical Education in 1950 from the University of New Hampshire, Durham. In 1979, she received a Master's Degree in Special Education from American International College in Springfield, MA. A resident of Southbridge, MA for 18 years, she was a special education teacher at West St. and Charlton St. schools. She was an active member of Elm Street Congregational Church and involved in such community activities as Girl Scouts and Operation Friendship, a youth international exchange program. After returning to New Hampshire, Mrs. Lane was first an education consultant with Lane Associates, then served the Governor Wentworth school district as Diagnostic Prescriptive Teacher at Carpenter School. She served on the board of the Wolfeboro Area Children's Center and was a member of First Congregational Church, and active in a number of roles including financial secretary and the youth scholarship committee. She enjoyed holding a variety of offices in her neighborhood association. Barbara was a member of Governor Wentworth Retired Educators Association, New Hampshire Retired Educator's Association, and AARP. At UNH she was a member of Chi Omega sorority and has continued to support the university through the UNH Alumni Association, 100 Club, Cat Club, season tickets to Wildcat football, and staying connected with her classmates through the "lunch bunch." She was dedicated to her Spaulding High School graduating class and, as class secretary, was eagerly planning for their 65th reunion and scholarship fund. She was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed watching football, basketball, and tennis from grandchildren to her favorite college or professional teams. She was a cross-country skier for many years, played tennis year-round into her 80's, and continued to swim laps daily in summer. Barbara loved music, especially jazz, and took great pleasure in gardening, home decorating, reading and book group. Her first love was time spent with family and friends. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 43 years, Clayton H. Lane, and her sister Anne E. French. Family members include her daughter Nancy Lane Harwood of Wolfeboro, her son David C. Lane of Tuftonboro, and grandchildren Maggie, Stephen, and Ryan. A memorial service, with date to be announced, will be planned for early summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, in memory of Barbara Lane, to PO Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03347-7312, or to the charity of your choice.

Barbara French Lane

November 25, 1928 - May 7, 2011