Annette Elizabeth Lambert Lane

Annette Elizabeth Lambert Lane passed away peacefully on February 5th, 2026, in Salt Lake City after her struggles with lifelong chronic illness and the past year of respiratory failure. Beloved wife of Randal Lane. Proud aunt to Daniel and Dylan Lane (Shelby) for whom Randy and Annette provided parental care during the boys' formative years.

Annette was born on December 9, 1958, at Deaconess Hospital in Buffalo, New York, the fifth child of Lee and Lou Lambert. In her early years, the family lived near grandparents and other extended family, and Annette attended St. Mary Magdalene School. In 1970, the family relocated to East Aurora, NY where Annette continued middle and high school in the East Aurora school system. After graduating high school in 1976, Annette attended Erie Community College and graduated with an Associate degree in Applied Science in Business Administration in 1979. She moved to California and furthered her studies, achieving a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from California State University in 1983.

Annette had family living in California and found work in many places include a bookstore and for Scott Foresman publishing. In her off hours, she often provided childcare for others including her siblings' children whenever she could. She then worked at the Tracy Public Schools for over 15 years, first as an Accounting Clerk and later as Business Manager at West High School.

Annette had a beautiful singing voice and a vocal range that spanned both the alto and soprano scales and was involved in many community choruses and church choirs. Her email address emphasized this with 'sopralto' as a play on words. Annette was a good and caring friend to many, being known for her welcoming smiles and heartfelt hugs. One church choir awarded her the 'Hugger of the Year' certificate for her faithful participation in ministry.

Annette always loved writing and poetry and was known for writing parodies. After retiring from the school board and making the move to Phoenix, Annette participated in a Creative Writing course to share some of her life stories. Annette also loved to cook and being a Pampered Chef consultant was a joy to her. She had a well-equipped kitchen and a large collection of recipes including her famous pomegranate preserves.

Through most of her adult life, Annette was involved in church activities. She volunteered as a worship leader and in music wherever she was able. She participated in mission trips to Guatemala, using the Spanish language skills she first studied in high school. Annette made many friends through her Bible study groups and church work and there met her husband, Randy, a fellow lover of puns and Gilbert and Sullivan musicals. Randy and Annette were married in June 1992 in California, and they lived over 30 years together until his death in 2023. As she grieved, Annette struggled to find hope at times but followed her faith and had many favorite Scripture passages that strengthened her. One of her favorite passages is this one: "Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46)".

Annette is survived by siblings Louise, Peter (Nita Duarte), George (Belinda), Jeanne (Tom Graham), Leo (Sherry Brown), Caroline Fulkerson (Clarke), Marlena Sunyata, Julie, and Douglas. Annette loved her two dozen nieces and nephews, and will be remembered as the aunt who always called them on their birthdays.

Annette was preceded in death by her husband, Randy (2023), and her parents, Lou Lambert (2017) and Lee Lambert (2020), as well as numerous good friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A private memorial service and celebration of life will be held with family at a later date.

The family wish to thank the Canyon Home Health and Hospice people, the staff at Sunrise Holladay, Cousin Christopher Gray, Faith Community RN Barb Clark from Arizona Community Church, and Phoenix neighbours Julie, Tim and Jan Kautzer. The family expresses immense gratitude to their sister Marlena Sunyata, who welcomed Annette to live nearby in Salt Lake City when her illness worsened last year. Thanks also to the 'village' of local support created with Conae Holmes, Amy Leininger, Margaret Huffman, and Tracy Thomas.

Annette made deep connections with people and loved to give and receive hugs. In lieu of flowers or donations, please exchange a hug with your loved ones. In Annette's often repeated words, "Cherish your loved ones", in her memory.

"Well done, good and faithful servant" (Matt. 25).