Patricia T. Lane

After a long and very full life, Patricia “Pat” Lane died peacefully in her sleep at home at the Austin Renaissance on Tuesday, November 20, 2007. During her last days, she was surrounded by loving family members and friends. The third of five children, Pat was born on June 30, 1924 in Sayre, Oklahoma, to Sarah Martha Hurt Speed and Oscar Speed. As a child, she was called “Patsy,” and her memories include ferocious dust storms as well as happy times riding bikes and roller skating with her friends. After attending the University of Texas, where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi, she married Rex Thomas of Woodsboro, Texas, in 1942. Their two daughters were born during Rex’s medical training in Galveston and Wichita Falls. Afterwards the family moved to Corpus Christi, where two sons were born. In 1964, they settled in Kerrville, where they lived for 10 years. During the next phase of Pat’s life, she lived in Tucson, Arizona for two years before returning to Texas to marry her second husband Richard Lane, with whom she lived happily – in Houston, Annapolis, and, finally, Austin – until his death in 1997. In 2004 she moved into the Renaissance, where she immediately began sharing her optimistic outlook and her laughter with new friends. Pat embraced her life wholeheartedly. Wherever she called home, she served in her church and cultivated friendships that endured over her entire lifetime. The many people whose lives she has touched will long remember her down-to-earth humor, her kindness, her hospitality, and her independent spirit. Friends and family members will especially miss her rambunctious cheering during football games, her enthusiasm for playing bridge, and her delicious pecan “sand tart” cookies. Throughout her life, Pat generously shared her home and her love with many younger people. Her children and their spouses include Kay Thomas and Art Fortgang of Ashland, Oregon, Trisha and Jim Wallace of Roanoke, Rex Thomas, Jr. and Jan Thaxton of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Shannon and Sheri Thomas of Georgetown, Bill and Cindy Lane of Lubbock, Martha Lane of Severna Park, Maryland, and Laura and Larry Dailey of Hewitt. Pat’s grandchildren are Sean Morrison of Reno, Nevada, Jessica Drigalla of Belton, April Rose of Austin, Erin Fisher of Chicago, Illinois, Whitney Sewell of Rockwall, Jacob and Sarah Thomas of Georgetown, Brett and Renee Lane of Illinois, Anne McLane of Maryland, Louis McLane of Atlanta, and John and Estelle Dailey of Hewitt Texas. She also has many great grandchildren; including Ava Fisher, Luke Drigalla, Claire Rose, and Katie Morrison. Pat’s brother Oscar Speed lives in Tucson and her sister Carol Mifsud lives in Houston. A memorial service for Pat will be held Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 10:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Austin, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First Presbyterian Church, 8001 Mesa Drive, Austin 78731 or to the National Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, 17th floor, Chicago 60601.