PEABODY: Diane R. “Dinah” (Brennan) Lane, 79, died peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at her home on Crowninshield Street.
Born in Gloucester on January 6, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Edwin J. and Mabel M. (Johnson) Brennan. She was a graduate of Gloucester High School and had resided in Gloucester for many years before moving to Peabody in 1980.
Diane was employed as a telephone operator at AT&T for twenty years before her retirement in 1998. She also once worked at the Central Grammar cafeteria and as a baker at First National Stores. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers, Salem AOH Club, Peabody VFW, American Legion, Degree of Pocahontas, Polish Club of Danvers, Moose Lodge and was past-president of the Association of Tannery, II.
Diane was a strong, hardworking, single mother who had a caring, generous spirit and was honest and direct. She taught her children the value of family and was known for her baking and cooking, which she learned from her father. She also loved to knit and enjoyed the casinos, pokeno and bingo.
She is survived by her children, Judy Lane of Gloucester, Diane Gillis and her husband, Pete of Salem, Dana Lane of Gloucester, Annette Wright of Salem and Donna Lane of Swampscott; three grandchildren, Ronald Muise, Jr., Brandon Lane and Emily Wright; two brothers, Robert Brennan of Gloucester and Donald Brennan and his wife, Marilyn of Northboro; a sister, Judy MacDougall of Gloucester; a brother-in-law, John Torlai of Torrington, CT; sister-in-law, Alice Brennan of Louisville, KY; many nieces and nephews and many dear friends. She was also predeceased by her granddaughter, Brenda Marie Lane, two brothers, Edwin and William Brennan, her sister, Mary Torlai, sister-in-law, Carol Brennan, brother-in-law, Sonny MacDougall and her former spouse, Harry R. Lane.
Her funeral service will be privately held in the Seaside Cemetery, Gloucester. The family would like to thank all the people who cared for Diane during her illness. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Salvation Army, 93 North St., Salem, MA 01970.