Florence Bloch Lane

Lane, Florence Bloch, widow of the late Robert M. Lane, passed away on October 9, 2009 at Hospice-By-The Sea, Boca Raton FL. She was a long-time resident of Boca Raton and Stockbridge, MA. Born May 25th, 1919 in NYC, she was the daughter of Jacob (Jack) Bloch and Bessie Meyer Bloch. She lived in NYC most of her life and attended NYC public schools. She was a graduate of George Washington H.S. and Hunter College where she earned a BS in Nutrition. She went on to earn a Master's degree in Nutrition from Columbia University. Florence worked as a dietician in several NYC hospitals but left hospital work in 1943 to enlist in the Women's Army Corps. She proudly served a 2nd Lt. for the duration of the war. It was during this time while stationed in Boca Raton that she met and married her beloved Bob after his assignment as her mess sergeant. Although she resumed her career as a dietician after the war, she found that her true passion was teaching. She returned to school and earned her Master's degree in Education from The New School for Social Research in Manhattan. She spent the next twenty plus years teaching in the NYC school system. After working as a substitute teacher, Florence was offered a full-time position at P.S. 50, a Higher Horizons school in South Jamaica and then at P.S.32 in Howard Beach, both in Queens. Her career was devoted to challenging and developing the abilities of her fourth and fifth grade students identified as intellectually gifted. An energetic and dedicated educator, she excelled at motivating her students to reach their greatest potential. One of the indicators of her success were the abundance of cards and letters of thanks from former students which she continued to receive well after her retirement. Always committed to her political and social beliefs, Florence volunteered generously. While in NY, she worked at The United Nations for UNICEF on a weekly basis. Over the years she organized her school's annual Halloween fund drive, raising thousands of dollars for UNICEF while teaching her students the importance of giving. Her program became a template within the NYC school system. In later years, after their retirement, Florence and Bob were active participants in Recordings for the Blind and volunteered weekly at The Florence Fuller Child Development Center mentoring and tutoring school-age youngsters. Florence was the long-time Treasurer of the Mahkeenac Heights Association in Stockbridge, served on the Board of Directors of the Boca Teeca Condominium Association, and was Vice-President of the Bocca Teeca Women's Club. During her involvement with the Women's Club, Florence enthusiastically spear-headed several very successful fund-raising efforts supporting the community's local paramedics. As a couple, Florence and Bob supported efforts to protect the environment, foster literacy, advance Women's issues and heighten awareness of the plight of Native Americans. Life-long lovers of the arts, Florence and Bob became residents of Stockbridge, MA and enjoyed the area's cultural bounty to the fullest......Jacob's Pillow, The Berkshire Theatre Festival, Williamstown and Tanglewood. Here too, Florence volunteered. As a docent at The Mount, home of Edith Wharton, a programmer at The Berkshire Playhouse and most loved of all, as a programmer at Tanglewood's main gate. For over twenty-five years she worked with her dear friends, Barbara, Ellen and others whom she fondly referred to as her "Tanglewood girls." Florence was loved and admired by many, but none more than those who loved her best and will miss her most......her daughters, lovingly referred to as "my girls", Naomi (Nikki) Lane Perkins and Deborah Lane Murtha, son-in-law Rex Perkins; grandchildren Jennifer Lane Murtha and Caitlin Knowles Murtha. Also, Robert Lane Brenner, Amy-Lisbeth Brenner Newton, Joseph Ian Brenner, Jonathan Daniel Brenner, their dad, Joe Brenner, one of Florence's most ardent admirers; and two great-grandchildren, Mariah Alexis Brenner and Christopher Brenner Newton. The family would like to acknowledge Grace Forrester and Diana Yuja who provided Florence with exceptional care over the past two years often going above and beyond. We are ever grateful. A Memorial Service is planned for the spring in Stockbridge. Donations in her name may be made to The Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, 200 NE, 14th Street, Boca Raton, FL 33432, Attn: Cheryl.