Elizabeth H. Lane

PERU – Elizabeth Lane, 93, passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2025, in her home in Peru. As she wished, she died under the care of her daughter Barbara Lane in the house she and her husband, Russell, built 65 years ago. She died the same day as the burial of her sister Nancy Holman who recently passed away.

She was born Elizabeth Hunt in Peru, on Sept. 3, 1932, the second of five children of the late Ezra and Winifred (Faulkingham) Hunt. She lived her entire life in Peru with the exception of three years during World War II, at which time her father worked on Liberty Ships in South Portland.

She was proud to be among the oldest residents of Peru.

At kindergarten in 1937 she met Russell Lane who went home to tell his mother he was going to marry Elizabeth Hunt. This marriage happened on Nov. 28, 1952 and lasted for almost 55 years when Russell passed away in 2007, just shy of 75 after they met at age five.

Elizabeth and Russell welcomed their first daughter, Barbara, in 1957, and their second daughter, Sandra in 1971. They welcomed their third “kid” and “favorite son-in-law” in 1996 when San married the late Peter Kaynor.

Elizabeth was a very humble and giving woman who at the same time was proudly stubborn. She was known for many skills which she shared with several people, never expecting anything in return. She was known as “Mamma” to many, even those who did not know her. She still helped at Barb’s food drive even into her 90s. Had her health not taken a rapid decline which resulted in her passing, she had planned to be at the food drive this year, too.

At age eight, this very talented woman learned tatting, knitting, crocheting and sewing from her grandmother. Elizabeth carried these skills throughout her life, and was still crocheting hats for the food pantry a couple days before she passed away. She also taught her handcrafting skills to many people. In particular, her passion for crocheting was passed along to San. Almost everyone Elizabeth knew has something she handcrafted for them.

Sewing was a great skill of hers. In the 1960s she sewed dance costumes for the dancers at Bradley Adam Dance Studio, including Barbara. At this same time she made Barbie doll clothes for Barbara and many neighborhood children. For several years she was a vendor at craft fairs where she would sell Russell’s woodworking, and her crocheting, knitting, sewing and other crafts. She was known for her beautiful American Girl doll clothes. For 43 years she entered her craftwork in the Cumberland Fair, always bringing home a plethora of ribbons. In addition to her crafts, her Holiday cooking was legendary. No one will ever duplicate her molasses cookies. She also made chocolates in an impressive number of flavors, all with their own unique shape to distinguish them.

Russell and Elizabeth ran a greenhouse business for 35 years. Their flowers and vegetables which they grew from seed were of a wonderful quality. After greenhouse season, she loved to spend time at Camp in Small Point. Here she, Russell, her sister Nancy and brother-in-law Terry Holman spent decades playing 63, a card game which they, but seemingly few other people, understood.

Also at camp she would play Pictionary with Barb, San and Peter. A 1995 miscommunication with her Pictionary partner, Peter, resulted in a decades long running joke for which they exchanged “Happy Squirrel” gifts.

Not only did Elizabeth love many people, she had a great love of animals. Animals also loved her. Her caring heart will be greatly missed.

Elizabeth is survived by her daughters Barbara Lane and Sandra Kaynor, brother-in-law Terry Holman, brother Jimmy Hunt, sister-in-law Patty Hunt, the family of Shawn and Tammi Lyons whom she considers her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many special nieces and nephews, her dog Blossom, and her granddogs Alice Luna, Granger, and Parker Kaynor.

She was predeceased by her husband Russell Lane, her son-in-law Peter Kaynor, sisters Margaret Dyment, Nancy Holman, and Claire Allen, brothers-in-law Jake Dyment, George Allen, Richard Lane and Roger Lane, sisters-in-law Beulah Lane and Vera Lane, a special cousin Norine Clarke, and many dogs and cats.

Friends and family are invited to share memories of Eliazbeth at http://www.meaderandson.com.

Graveside services will be held in the spring at the Demeritt Cemetery in Peru.

In lieu of flowers, Barb and Sandy ask those who wish to honor their mother to consider donating to either Servants Heart Food Pantry, or to an animal shelter, rescue or charity.

Those who would like to donate to the food pantry should make checks written to United Baptist Church, with Servants Heart Food Pantry in memory of Elizabeth Lane in the memo line. Donations can be mailed to PO Box 22, Peru, ME 04290.

Those who would like to honor Elizabeth’s love of animals are asked to donate in her memory to an animal shelter, rescue or charity of their choice.