WESTERLY RI: Lillias Thomson Bridgman Lane unexpectedly passed away on August 27, 2015, after a happy, healthy, and much accomplished life of 86 years. A native of Springfield, MA, she was born on December 2, 1928, the daughter of Elizabeth Gilroy Tait and William Fenn Bigelow Thomson. She graduated from Classical High School and Smith College, class of 1950. She married Edward Fowler Bridgman (predeceased) of Westfield and leaves two children, Edward Fowler Bridgman Jr. of Wayland, MA, and Allyn Elizabeth Bridgman Petit of Grosse Pointe, Michigan. She also leaves four grandchildren, Edward Fowler Bridgman III and Taylor Shaw Bridgman, as well as Elizabeth Thomson Petit and Sarah Allyn Petit. She was predeceased by her husband William C. Lane of Westerly, RI where they resided for many years. She also leaves four step daughters Sara Elizabeth Decker of Toledo Ohio (predeceased), Marcia Lee Harden of Carnegie Oklahoma, Linda Jean Merriman of Watertown, Connecticut and Lindsey Cummings Lane of Austin, Texas. She also leaves five step grandchildren.
For 30 years Mrs. Lane wintered in Peru Vermont and for 25 years summered in Madison, Connecticut where she served as a Governor of the Madison Beach Club. Mrs. Lane had a life long career of professional volunteerism beginning in the Westfield/Springfield area through 1995. Among her volunteer roles were Chair of the Board of Trustees, Noble Hospital Westfield, President of Westfield Woman’s Club, Director of Westfield Academy, Chair of Friends of Smith College, President of the Springfield Junior League, President of H.W.A. Club in Westfield, and President of Springfield Girls’ Club Family Center. She served as a Director of Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Pioneer Valley United Way, Stage West, WGBY Channel 57 Springfield, and MacDuffie School Parents’ Association. Mrs. Lane’s expertise was always fundraising and she felt passionate about the missions of the organizations with which she was associated.
When she married Mr. Lane in 1985 and joined the Weekapaug community, she continued her full-time volunteerism becoming involved in the founding and organizing of the Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation in 1989. She went on to be Chair of the Board for four years, following which she became the Executive Director from 1998 to 2006. During this time, in 1997, Mrs. Lane received the Henry Morris Award for many years of volunteer work and leadership in the community of Weekapaug. Mr. Lane was a previous recipient, making them the first husband-wife team. Most recently she served as President of the Westerly College Club, was a Corporator of Westerly Hospital and Westerly Library, and a past Trustee of the Weekapaug Chapel. She was a former member of the Madison Beach Club and the Colony Club in Springfield, and a member of the Weekapaug Golf Club, the Watch Hill Yacht Club, and the Shelter Harbor Golf Club.
Wherever Mrs. Lane lived she became an organizing force in the community. Her accomplishments were numerous and she always managed to bring everyone on board with each cause or endeavor. Her spirit, drive and keen sense of humor provided the necessary leadership for the job. Never seeking praise for her work, she excelled with the support of her family and abundant friends. Mrs. Lane’s goal in life was to give back to others what she had been so fortunate to have herself.
A memorial service in celebration of the life of Lillias Thomson Lane will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3rd, at 11 a.m., at the Dunn’s Corners Community Church Presbyterian located a mile from Weekapaug at 221 Post Road, Westerly, RI. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy to be made in Lil’s memory may be sent to the following: Westerly College Club, P.O. Box 1342, Westerly, RI, 02891-1342, Opening Doors for Westerly’s Children, 50 Valley St., Providence, RI 02909, The Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation, 4 Wawaloam Drive, Westerly 02891, or a charity of one’s choice. For online condolences please visit Buckler-Johnston.com
