Obituary of Shiela Pearle Lane

Shiela Pearle (Levin) Lane, 91, died peacefully in the early afternoon of November 23, 2015, in her home in Chevy Chase, MD. Shiela was born in Brooklyn, NY. Having always shown artistic talent, Shiela majored in textile design in high school. After graduation in 1942, she planned to attend Pratt Institute. However, many classes were cancelled as the Second World War became the focus of attention. When a position became available at a small magazine called Amerasia, she became a "Girl Friday" in a one-person office, handling whatever was needed. Shiela met Charlotte Monen at a Volunteer meeting to aid the war effort. They became good friends. Charlotte suggested she write to her brother Ben Lane, who was serving in the Pacific. When Ben returned from the war, they dated and married in 1947. They were married for 64 years. Shiela and a friend opened a children's clothing store in the Bronx called The Little Shop Around the Corner – the corner being next door to Yankee Stadium. When Shiela and Ben started a family a few years later, Shiela sold her share in the store to her friend. Shiela and Ben had two children, Joseph and David. They spent the first years of their marriage in a two-story brownstone in Brooklyn, with her mother and the Rosen family in the other apartments. These were wonderful years as they all shared life together. In 1962, the Lane family moved to Maryland, where Joe and David grew up in Montgomery County. When the boys were older, Shiela joined a self-help group, first just as a member and later as a mentor to others. She discovered her natural talents at helping other people and enjoyed being a part of the group for several decades. Many of the people Shiela met through this group were her friends for the rest of her life. Shiela had strong feelings about many things. There were a few things she did not like: show-offs, obnoxious people with big egos, and selfishness in any form. She hated her wheelchair for restricting her movement, but she loved the people who helped her in and out of it. There were many more things that she loved. She loved her family – every member, unconditionally. She loved kids. She loved friendly people who would smile, say hello, and start a conversation. She loved animals, especially friendly little dogs. She loved plants and flowers of all kinds – couldn't get enough of them. She loved shopping – especially for clothing. She loved music – to hear it, to play it, to sing it, and to dance to it. She loved movies and shows, especially those with good actors and happy endings. She loved to go places and do things. Shiela loved to cook, especially for her family. If there is a heaven, she is cooking the dinner. Shiela, also known to her family as Pearlie, was a smart, loving and caring daughter, sister, wife and mother. She will be greatly missed and remembered always. Shiela is survived by her two loving sons, Joseph (Linda) and David; her grandchildren, Christo Lane (Abbie) and Jordanka Estrada (Oscar); and great grandchildren, Scarlet Rose, Delilah Jade, and Estella Maria; her dear sister and brother-in-law, Selma and Carl Rosen, their daughter Annabeth (Silvano Sole), son-in-law Mark Soffer, and grandchildren Jonathan Soffer (Sami) and Rachel Flanagan (Daniel). Also survived by niece Judy Levin-Charns (Martin) and their son David, nephew Sid Monen (Mary) and his children John and Jessica, great nephew and niece Brad Levin and Marissa Rybalov, and lifetime best friend Harriet Baum (Michael) and her daughter Naomi. Shiela was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Ruth Levin; beloved husband, Ben; brother, Leon Levin (Florence); nephew, Mark Levin; and niece Lissa Rosen-Soffer. A memorial service will be held at the Five Star Premier Residences of Chevy Chase on December 11.