Alice Almeleh Gronski Lane, beloved mother, grandmother, educator, and friend to many, passed away on November 29, 2022. She was 79 years old.
Alice’s parents emigrated from the Isle of Rhodes, Greece to East New York, Brooklyn following the path of many Sephardic Jews in the United States. Her parents, Amelie and Bessalel, were loving, simple people who wanted to create a better life for the Almeleh family. Although Alice grew up in New York, she always cherished her culture. It gave her joy to make bourekas, black-eyed peas, and marzipan, especially during Jewish holidays when she opened her door to family and friends. One of her happiest moments, and one she spoke about quite often, was her family reunion trip to Rhodes where she felt connected to her roots.
As the youngest of four, Alice was a driven child who discovered her natural abilities through the arts and academics. She attended the “famed” High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan where she studied the violin. Her love of music and dance was pervasive throughout her life. One could often hear her playing the piano and accordion or watch her dance the polka in the comfort of her home. It was at the High School of Performing Arts where she met her first husband, Ron. They became best friends and high school sweethearts. After graduating, she was accepted to Brooklyn College, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Alice had a rewarding 35-year teaching career at Lawrence Public Schools in Long Island, N.Y. She was an educator’s educator, always believing there was a gift within every child. Her teaching style focused on using her passion, creativity, and the arts to awaken and inspire students of all types and ages. Alice touched so many, who recognized that the seeds she planted helped them achieve success as artists, educators, and industry leaders. She always referred to her students as “her children” and was grateful to hear from them throughout her lifetime. She applied this love of education to herself and received her Master’s in Education from Queens College and worked towards her Doctorate from The Teachers College at Columbia University.
She brought all these important aspects of her life to her three children, whom she adored and who brought her so much joy. She would have done truly anything for her children. Alice constantly said all she needed in her life was her “babies.” She raised Adam, Karyn, and Jen on her own, instilling in them the importance of independence; family; following one’s passion; and, most importantly, learning through life’s journey.
Alice had the ability to light up a room with her smile and looked at the bright side, even in the darkest times. This was never more apparent than when she was able to turn sickness into love when she met and married Dr. Stanley Lane, her past surgeon who not only saved her life, but opened her eyes and heart to new experiences that she cherished.
She leaves behind her greatest accomplishments, her three children, Adam (Marni) Gronski, Karyn (Scott) Goffin, and Jennifer (Craig) Sabal. Alice is predeceased by Dr. Stanley Lane. She is survived by his children, Stanley (Ina) Lane and Sandra (Jonathan) Ballan. She is already missed by grandchildren Alec and Zachary Goffin; Jonah, Allegra, and Emilia Sabal; Bennett Gronski; Barrett (Aaron Kozuki) and Darren Lane; and Sarah, Jamie, Scott, and Joseph Ballan. Alice is also mourned by her sister, Ann Glick, and Alice’s nephews and their spouses. Alice is also predeceased by her parents and siblings, Martin Almeleh and Rachel (Irving) Postman.
The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful love and support provided by the physicians and nurses who cared for her during her illness these past two years, especially the wonderful staff at South Berkshire County Dialysis Center.
There will be a private graveside funeral service at Ahavath Sholom Cemetery on Thursday, December 1, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations go to The American Sephardi Federation. To send remembrances to the family, please visit the website of Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home.
