Lane Knight Conn Jr.

Lane Conn Obituary

Passed away peacefully in his home in Arlington, Mass., Wednesday, April 2, 2008, surrounded by family. Lane, husband of Sarah and father of Lisa, Rachel, and Leah, was 75 years old at the time of his passing. After receiving his PhD in clinical psychology at Ohio State University, Lane began his professional career as a professor at Harvard University. He also taught at Northeastern, UMASS Boston, and the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. Active in the exploration of health-care theory and practice in the larger context, Lane was a pioneer in developing the field of Ecopsychology. He and his wife taught courses in this field at Harvard Medical School and The Boston Architectural College. Lane saw clients in a private psychotherapy practice for 43 years. Lane was a member of the First Unitarian Society in Newton for 25 years. As one of the founders of the Coming-of-Age program at FUSN, he helped to give youth the chance to explore and celebrate religion and belief in a ritual that has now become a staple of youth development in the denomination. Lane touched many lives with his constant intellectual probing and insights, jokes, stories, love of rituals and celebrations, and general passion for life. A Memorial Service will be held in his honor on Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m. at the First Unitarian Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St., West Newton, Mass. In lieu of gifts or flowers, we are accepting anecdotes and memories of Lane's life at [email protected]

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Published by Boston Globe on Apr. 6, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Lane Conn

11 Entries

Garen Corbett

June 28, 2008

I was so sorry to learn of Lane's passing. I have many fond memories of him from my years growing up in Newton and at FUSN. I remember his warm presence and energy, and am grateful for the role he had in guiding the Coming of Age Program, which was a formative experience for me. My thoughts and deepest condolences to Sarah, Leah, and Rachel.
Garen Corbett

Mary Kay Watts

May 20, 2008

Sarah and the girls,
Lane was a joy to see every 6 months. He always brought his smile with him. We will miss him.

Dr Edward Donle

May 15, 2008

Sarah and family,
It is so sad to hear of Lane's passing.
I always enjoyed having Lane in the office. We had just great conversations over a wide range of topics, and he never came without a new joke.
He will be missed by all who knew him, but his memory will last forever.

Dawn Ekis

April 23, 2008

Growing up overseas, I never felt like I got to see my parents' family enough. This makes the memories I have even more precious to me.
In my mind, I will forever remember a picture, I'm sure adjusted in my mind's eye, of Uncle Lane when we were visiting in W. Newton.
He was dressed in shorts, wearing a dark pair of sunglasses, and sporting long hair, a beard, and a bandana. This was my hippy Uncle, looking relaxed and at ease, with a smile on his face. It was a great summer, and we all had alot of fun.

Another vivid memory of Uncle Lane is when we had lobster with Aunt Sarah, Uncle George, and Aunt Rochelle. I remember Uncle Lane putting the lobster into the boiling pot of water and asking him if the lobster would scream when he did it, and how would He liked to be boiled? At the point in time, he was as red as a lobster, due to a very bad sunburn!

My memories are those as I was growing up. I would take them back with me, to whatever country we were living in at the time. They would be added to those memories of the last time we were on home leave.

Uncle Lane was there when I was going through some really bad times in not my not too distant past. His encouragement helped me to choose a different path in my life than I might once have done. I am so grateful he helped me on that day, and for some time after, he kept in touch just to "see how I was doing".
The more that I write on this, the more memories that come back, so I best not write a book!

If it had not been for Uncle Lane's perseverance in tracing the family tree, I wouldn't have pictures to look at. Scanned pictures sent via more modern methods, or those taken in methods of yesteryears. Thus I lived vicariously through both my Uncle's and my Mom's memories.

Family is so important to me and despite the miles, I would like to be closer. Not only in thought, but also in distance.

I'm sending much love through those miles.
God bless you,

Dawn

John Boehrer

April 18, 2008

Sarah, Rachel, Leah, and Lisa,

Lane's light shone so powerfully and beautifully that it is hard to imagine it has finally gone out, yet his spirit still warms my heart, as it has for so long, and will go on doing.

Richard Horowitz

April 16, 2008

Sarah and family,
I worked with Lane for over 20 years in all aspects of my life. He was my mentor; a person I deeply admired & respected. He will always be vivid in my mind and heart. I can see and feel is vibe now. my love, Richard

Maureen Armstrong

April 8, 2008

Dear Sarah

Lee and I send you lots of love and light. We're very sad to hear of Lanes passing.

Tracy MacNab

April 7, 2008

We miss you, Lane.
Tracy and Susan MacNab

Janet Lewis

April 7, 2008

The Coming of Age program at FUSN touched my life deeply, and I will always be grateful for Lane's role in founding it and teaching me. Fifteen years later, I can still vividly remember his thoughtfulness and warmth.

Rosie Rosenzweig

April 6, 2008

Lane and Sara were friends of ours decades ago. Their parties were fabulous and populated by many lovely people. That was when our chldren were very young, as were we. Even tho we haven't talked in years, the loss is palpable. We remember his vibrance and dedication to being, what we call a "mensch." This is an upright person who always did the right thing.

Some day may the mourning be complete.

Sandy and Rosie

Joellen Hawkins

April 6, 2008

What a difference Lane made in the life of one of our sons--John Watson. Lane encouraged him, believed in him and kept in touch for a long time after the Coming of Age program ended. I can only imagine how many other young persons he encouraged as well.

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