Anne M. Lane

Our dearly beloved mother, Anne passed quietly away, at 88 on December 10th, 2020 without much notice, in the middle of the pandemic.  Having already forgotten that her son, Gary died the year before, as her mind was slowly passing away.  She had been going deaf, blind and losing her mind, while her eldest son, Dean and daughter, Nan kept her safe and well cared for.

Anne’s parents, Malvin & Nanny Owen (Oen) were Norwegian immigrants, living in Eltingville at “The Sons of Norway House”, before buying a quaint bungalow in Great Kills.  Born in 1932, at “The Smith Infirmary”, New Brighton during the depression, Anne grew up with her two older brothers, John and Lawrence; her eldest half-brother, Trygve, still lived in Norway.

Having lost her own mother at age 12, she became the homemaker for her father and brothers.  She didn’t want to learn how to make “cinnamon toast” in high school home economics; she wanted to learn how to cook a roast for her family.  She was the “mom” before ever becoming a mother.

And when she did fall in love and married Wallace Smith, she became a mother to 5 children.  One right after another.  She was, “In Love with Love”.  But what Anne mostly loved were her babies, caring dearly for her children.

According to Mom her household was, “Clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy”.  She loved to host a party!  Anne was a very generous & practical person, a homemaker, super crafty, with a great love for knitting & crocheting, gardening, cooking and truly a mother for all.  If she couldn’t help, maybe you’d be given a handmade crocheted “wooby” (blanket).  “Snuggle comfort”!

She especially loved her pet dog, “Kiddo”.  Kiddo came to her as a newborn pup from a demolition construction site that her son, Lee was at.  The infant puppy, still in its embryonic sac was saved and given to mom.  She raised and loved that dog until the end.  Afterwards, she opened her home to board dogs.

She enjoyed knitting groups, going to yard sales, telling stories and attending church, Historic Richmond town and Conference House events.  But mostly, she loved all of her family.

Not a day goes by without thinking about our mother, Anne Marie, aka Mom to All, Mud to Adele, best friend to Heather, “Besta”-Grandmother & great grandmother.  You will be remembered with great Love.  Rest in Peace dear. 

She is survived by her son, Dean Smith, daughter, Nan Smith, grand daughter, Natalie (Sheppard-Sakakihara) Ferguson (Monty Ferguson), great grandson, Kailer & great granddaughter, Athena; granddaughters, Hana Smith, Suzanne Smith, great granddaughter, Khi Smith.  Brother, John Owen (Mary), nephew, Stephen Owen & niece, Heidi Owen.