Elsie M. Loane

Elsie was born in Ludwigsburg, Germany, to parents, Otto and Amalie Trefz. Her family immigrated to the United States when she was four years old. After she graduated from Olney High School in Philadelphia, Elsie continued her education at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Elsie went on to establish a career as a commercial artist, working primarily for the General Electric Co., the Presbyterian Board of Christian Education, and the Burpee Seed Co. After retiring she continued with her passion for art by teaching for 15 years at the Central Bucks Senior Citizens Center in Doylestown and by serving as the Chair of the Rydal Park Resident Art Committee. Elsie was instrumental in the establishment of the Hallway Gallery at Rydal Park where she gave aspiring local artists an opportunity to showcase their work.

Elsie lived a full and active life. She had many hobbies including photography, horseback riding and swimming but her favorite hobby was painting. She traveled extensively usually bringing along her easel and paints so she could bring back a painting or two of where she had been. Elsie also painted portraits of many of the young people in her family and her husband Jim. In addition, she was a long-time member of Carmel Presbyterian Church in Glenside, PA.

Elsie was preceded in death by her husband James A. Loane and her stepson James G. Loane (Linda).

Elsie is survived by her stepchildren Linda J. Harris (James) and Donald A. Loane (Linda), ten grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and many cousins.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 11 AM, Friday, September 11th at Forest Hills Cemetery (Overbrook section), 25 Byberry Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations in Elsie’s name may be made to the charity or organization of your choice.