M. Mclane

M. Louise McLane, 92, formerly of Independence, MO passed away on Friday, December 26, 2008 at The Gatesworth Retirement Center in St. Louis, MO. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at Carson-Speaks Chapel, 1501 W. Lexington, Independence, MO 64052. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Floral Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Children’s Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, or St. John’s Mercy Hospice, St. Louis. Louise was born January 21, 1916 in Eversonville, MO to Edgar M. “Nick” and Frances E. (Tharp) Powell. She came to Kansas City with her parents at the age of 10. Mrs. McLane graduated from Northeast High School and worked for National Bellas Hess when she met Ray T. McLane, whom she married in 1935. They were married for nearly 67 years before his death in 2002. Louise and Ray lived at their home in the Fairmount area of Independence for more than 50 years before moving to The Fountains Retirement Center in 1998. She moved to St. Louis in 2003. Louise was a member of the Mt. Washington Baptist Church where she was a leader of the Girl’s Auxiliary and active in the Woman’s Missionary Union. She also worked in the church library and food service center. Louise and Ray enjoyed many wonderful retirement years traveling in their Airstream trailer and were quite active in the Wally Byam Airstream Caravan Club. They were also lifelong dancers and enjoyed everything from waltzes to the two-step. Louise was well known for her positive attitude, friendly manner and caring disposition. To her, the glass was always “half full.” Throughout her rich, full life, she made countless friendships that continued to the end. Louise is survived by her son Larry and wife Linda, of St. Louis; daughter Janet and husband Bruce, of Olympia, WA; granddaughters Kelly McLane and Laura McLane; and nephews (to whom she was known as Aunt Sis) Bob Powell, Bill Powell, Jim Powell and Keith Marr and their wives and children.