Barbara Elizabeth Lane

Barbara E. Lane, of Greenfield Center, passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013 of a sudden illness at Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Springs, NY. She was 75.

Daughter of the late Stanley and Elsie (Groll) Lake, Barbara was born on April 8, 1938 in Manhattan, NY.

The Lake family moved to Amityville in 1952 where Barbara graduated from Amityville Memorial High School in 1955. She worked at Glen Cove Hospital as a lab technician. She was married to Gary Meyers Ziegenfelder from 1957 to 1978. She then attended Grumman Data Systems where she received her computer programming certification.

She married John Lane in 1986 and they moved to Greenfield Center in 1987. Barbara worked for many years as a computer programmer for Jardine Group Services and Davis Vision of Schenectady, NY.

Barbara was a passionate volunteer for the causes she cared about. She was a Girl Scout leader in her earlier years with her sister Nancy in Amityville, Long Island. In the 1960’s she modeled  positive race relations for young people. She spent years working for the Okeanos Ocean Research Foundation as a research assistant. Even as her mobility waned she continued to stay involved by being a patron of a child through PLAN International USA and supporting the arts at SPAC. She traveled in the U.S. and abroad and enjoyed reading, especially philosophy, playing Sudoku, using Facebook, and spending time with her family and friends. She was an enthusiastic animal lover who loved to watch the wildlife traveling through her beloved backyard.

Barbara was not only a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and aunt to us all, she was a confidant and friend. After listening to our thoughts she always counseled us to forgive and love each other. Her warm smile and generous, loving ways will make it difficult for us to say goodbye. Her best loved recipes such as Shish Kabob, Cornell Salad, Barbeque Flank Steak, and Parsley Onion Bread will continue to be enjoyed by us for generations to come.

Barbara was a deeply spiritual woman whose faith in the wisdom of the universe carried her throughout her life. One of her favorite sayings was, “I just trust God to give me what I need.” She took great comfort in nature and private contemplation.

She is survived by her husband, John Lane; her beloved daughters, Lisa Newkirk (Larry) and Susan Castagna (Joseph); grandsons Larry Newkirk Jr and Willie Garrett Newkirk. She is also survived by a niece, Erica Peterson Evans, a nephew, Bryan Thomas Peterson (Jeanine) and great-nephew Harrison Peterson, “adopted” grandson Anthony Hall, as well as many relations and longtime friends.

She was predeceased by her sister, Nancy Peterson (Lake)

Memorial Service will be held on Saturday December 14, 2013, 3pm at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue (Rte. 9) in Saratoga Springs, NY  584-4844, where family and friends are welcomed to call from 2-3pm prior to the service at Compassionate Funeral Care.

After the service on Saturday all are welcome to join the family of Barbara for further fellowship and food at the Saratoga Wilton Elks Lodge 161 directly behind the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice or to PLAN International USA, 155 Plan Way, Warwick, RI 02886. - http://www.planusa.org