Marcia P. Lane, age 92, passed away November 4, 2024, near Columbus, MS, her home for the last 27 years. Born in Los Angeles to Milton S. Patrick and Marguerite B. Smith, Marcia grew up in Beverly Hills after moving in early childhood from Catalina Island where her father was mayor of Avalon.

A graduate of Marlborough High School and Pomona College, Marcia pursued acting, appearing on TV shows, including Death Valley Days and Schlitz Playhouse. She married James P. Lane in 1955 and they made their home in Studio City, CA. Upon the birth of her first child she decided to leave acting to devote herself to being a full-time mother, a role she relished. They had three more children and made many lifelong friends there. When Jim was transferred, the family moved to Atlanta. Marcia turned her creative talents to transforming her home and gardens, being a mother and volunteering for causes she loved, including animal welfare, Catholic Social Services and local theater, particularly Gilbert & Sullivan.

Her fearlessness and love of animals led her, in her 60’s, to transform vacant land in Columbus into a haven for rescued animals, large and small. She happily lived there until her final days. Marcia generously donated to numerous animal welfare organizations. In 2006, she established the Marcia P. Lane Endowed Chair in Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare at MSU CVM., through which she helped save the lives of thousands of animals through their spay-neuter program.

Forever young, Marcia would never take a senior discount or accept normal age limitations, even riding Class IV rapids while whitewater rafting at 77. Nor did she age out of her ingénue beauty. Even in her 90s, wherever she went and whomever she was with, when someone would say “My, don’t you look beautiful!”, there was no doubt they were talking to her.

She is survived by her three daughters, Allison Lane (Baca), Adrianne Lane and Andrea (Brad Strumpf) Lane; one son, Patrick (Susie) Lane; special friend and caregiver, Tori Russell; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents and one son-in-law, Jim Baca. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held in Columbus on January 18, 2025. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial donations be made in her name to the Rocky Lane Pets in Need Fund at Mississippi State University.