SOUTH PARIS – Master Sgt. Rosemarie Lane, Retired Army , passed away peacefully at the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris on Saturday, Aug. 2, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

She was born Oct. 11, 1944, in Brooklyn, N.Y.

She entered the Women’s Army Corps on Oct. 31, 1963, at Fort McClellan, Ala., and retired at Fort Bragg, N.C., in 1986, after 23 years of service, and she moved to Maine.

In the course of her career she held positions as section chief, squad leader, section sergeant, operations sergeant, drill sergeant, first sergeant and administrative supervisor. Her assignments included Fort Ritchie, Md., SHAPE HQ in Paris, France and Belgium, William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas, Fort Leonardwood, Mo., Vietnam, Fort McClellan, Ala., Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station, Cleveland, Ohio, West Germany and Fort Bragg, N.C.

Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal W/20LC, Army Achievement Medal w/1OLC, Good Conduct Medal Seventh Award, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Armed Forces Honor Medal Second Class, Civic Action Medal Second Class and Drill Sergeant Badge.

Master Sgt. Lane was a graduate of the Noncommissioned Officers Leadership School, Drill Sergeant School, Nuclear Biological and Chemical School and the First Sergeants Course. She also took courses with Maryland State University and Cadsden State Junior College.

After her military career, she worked for Day One Substance Abuse in Portland and the Internal Revenue Service in Lewiston, where she retired in April 2008.

She was an active life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Maine, having served as the Post No. 9459, District No. 9 and state commander. She currently held a position on the VFW National Legislative Committee and was always an advocate for all veterans. Her tireless efforts in protecting the rights of veterans and their dependents will always be remembered. She was also a member of American Legion Post No. 153 and several other organizations.

She is survived by her godchild, Catherine Novak; nephews John, Michael and Richard Lane of New York; nieces Annemarie Lane and Elizabeth Nelson of Arizona; an aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Edward (Fannie) Spikoski and cousins Michael, Ed, Peter and Denise of New York and their families; friends and caregivers Jane Poulin, Anne P. Budris, Joan Hebert and Margaret Whirley of Maine; and her extended VFW and LAVFW family nationwide.

She was predeceased by her mother, Catherine Lane; brothers, John and Philip Lane; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Oddo; and cousin, Anthony P. Oddo, KIA 1970 South Vietnam.

A special thanks to the staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home in South Paris for all the care and support.