Irene M. Lane

peacefully passed away at the age of 83 at UPMC Passavant Hospital with her devoted

husband and family by her side.

Irene was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 13, 1939 to the late John W.

Wittmann and Rita G. (Kasper) Wittmann. She grew up in Elliott, Pennsylvania before

moving to Zelienople and graduating from Zelienople High School in 1957. She began

working at a young age for Kasper’s grocery, riding on the delivery truck and helping to

deliver groceries to customers for her grandfather’s grocery. Prior to becoming a

mother, she was employed at Bell Telephone Company as a switchboard operator and

Quaker Oats as a bookkeeper. Later she dedicated many years of service as a

telephone operator at UPMC Passavant Hospital before retiring.

Irene was also an active and faithful member of St Matthias Catholic Church of Evans

City, Pennsylvania and St Gregory’s Divine Grace Parish of Zelienople. She shared her

faith teaching Catechism to children. She remained active her entire life, sharing her

gifts and talents while volunteering for countless community activities.

On June 10, 1967 she married Kenneth A. Lane of Zelienople. They celebrated 56

happy years of marriage. Together, they lovingly raised two daughters, Joan and

Susan and a son, Brian. She was also a wonderful grandmother to five grandsons,

John, Robert, Alexander, Ian and Rory.

Irene enjoyed playing table tennis, competing at St Martin’s school in the 9-11th grade.

She also liked solving puzzles and playing games, but most of all she loved spending

time with, and being of service to her family and friends.

She led an exemplary life, showing compassion and thoughtfulness to everyone she

met. Irene was a beacon of light and kindness.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth; children Joan and Robert (son in law) Taylor,

Susan and Brian (son in law) O’Leary, and Brian and Kathy (daughter in law) Lane; five

grandchildren; siblings Jack Wittmann, Joyce Hanson, Richard Wittmann and Deborah

Brownley; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass is planned at St. Gregory’s Divine Grace Parish, 2 W Beaver Street,

Zelienople, PA 16063, on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 1:00 P.M.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Saul-Gabauer Funeral home, Inc. 273 Rt. 68 Rochester, PA 15074

In lieu of flowers, gifts in honor of Irene may be made to The Myasthenia Gravis

Foundation of America at www.https://myasthenia.org; The National Multiple Sclerosis

Society at www.https://nationalmssociety.org; or The American Diabetes Association at

www.https://diabetes.org