Leslie Emerson Lane

Leslie Emerson Lane, formerly Leslie Jarman Emerson, died on October 09, 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s that took her from us in such a slow, cruel, and unforgiving way.  She passed peacefully Friday afternoon with her devoted husband and loving daughter by her side. Leslie was born in Hartford, Connecticut September 07, 1943. Her birth mother, Helen Jarman died when she was just two years old and her dear Aunt Mable cared for her until her father,  and stepmother took her to be with them. Her stepmother Eleanor Emerson raised Leslie as one of her own, even after her father left, alongside her two own daughters Christie and Melissa Emerson. Leslie married Neil Terrence Lane, October 10, 1970.

Their 50th wedding Anniversary was just one day away when she passed. For over 40 years they lived in their beloved Fayetteville NY home. Leslie LOVED that house where she created sanctuary in the back yard with a homemade waterfall/pond and gorgeous garden she excitedly show off to any visitor that came by.They only moved to North Carolina, November 2017, to be near their daughter and Neil’s sister to have help in caring for her advancing Alzheimer’s condition. Their marriage was not always filled with romantic love and bliss, but the team they made and the support care Neil was able to provide to her as an LPN nurse was truly God’s perfect plan played out to tell a story of a beautiful respect, love, and devotion.

They have two children Shawn William Lane born October 1974 and Karinne Leslie Lane Fuoco born January 1977. They were a strong and loving team who provided a nurturing, stable, loving upbringing. Leslie was the rock of the household growing up. Disciplinary when needed, loving supporter, equal provider as a caregiver to elderly, fixer of everything, and just the best mom she knew how to be! Their two children gave her four grandchildren. Brandon Lane, Kyrstin Fuoco Kasprack, Alex Lane, and Nathaniel Fuoco. Leslie was the most devoted amazing loving grandmother who gave such adoring attention and love to them all! She would search out the most thoughtful gifts, get right down on the floor and play with them, and spent as much time as she could with them. She never played favorites but the unspoken buddy-like bond between her and her youngest grandson Nathan was such a special thing to witness. Leslie was also promoted to great-grandmother by her only granddaughter, Kyrstin, within the last year of her life. Although her disease made it not possible for her to know this beautiful, spunky, firecracker of a great granddaughter, we all know she would have been just as amazing if not more so with her then with her grandchildren.  Little Attalie Jade was able to meet her and even spend the last couple of days of her life by her side!

How does one person summarize the legacy of “Leslie the Great”!!? There are not enough words to accurately describe the strong incredible woman she was to all that knew her! A Pillar of strength, yet whose character and humor would liven up any occasion! She was the most genuine, down to earth, logical,  practical, caring, giving person to all that knew her. She counseled and helped sooo many through her job as a caregiver and being the person she was wanting to help others around her. So many have told me of what an encouragement and caring listener she was; some who She even uplifted from their darkest times! Aside from the caregiver, she also had the most gifted eye to catch the perfect pictures anywhere she went! Her talent as a photographer is a huge part of her legacy she leaves behind! Her photos are cherished by friends and family, but also, were prize winners in her local camera club, state fair, as well as, many made into cards and hundreds sold at Wild Birds Unlimited. She never edited or altered her pictures they were all pure natural artistic creations caught by her uniquely talented eye to capture the shot!

Leslie Lane will forever be remembered as an amazing strength, caregiver by profession and all around life, whose character brightened and encouraged all who came in her path!