Mary Jean (Lane) Hedberg, age 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 7, 2020, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
She was born in Toledo, Ohio, on March 24, 1938, daughter of Lawrence Lane and Rhoda (Scott) Lane. She graduated from Baldwin Wallace College with a degree in education and worked throughout her professional life as a high school English teacher, ending her career at Harbor High School.
She married Widing (Swede) Hedberg in December 1962. Before his passing in May 1990, they shared a love of classical music, working on their home and spirited debate.
After her retirement, she was active in social issues that were important to her, including The League of Women Voters, The Ashtabula County Library Board, The Ashtabula County Historical Society, Womens’ Fortnightly, and Log Cabin Days. She was an ardent supporter of the Democratic Party, public television and public radio and was happiest when visiting Chautauqua Institution attending a concert or a lecture with friends. She loved playing bridge, attending concerts, plays and musicals, British television, reading every book possible, flowers and working in her garden. Traveling to Africa and working as a missionary with the Covenant Church in the 1990s was a special time; her friends and her Ashtabula Covenant Church family meant the world to her.
Her survivors include her brother Jerry Lane of Mill Valley, California, her daughter Meg (Glen) Graham of Cincinnati, Ohio, sons Adam (Sarah) Hedberg of Kingston, Canada, and Lars Hedberg of Conneaut, Ohio; step-children Lisa (Robert) Vokes and Eric (Patricia) Hedberg of Minnesota; and her grandchildren: Libby and Maggie Graham, Ben, Nate and Jack Hedberg and step-grandchildren Ellen and Jared Vokes and Quentin and Ian Hedberg.
The family thanks The Ashtabula County Home and Hospice of The Western Reserve and its staff for the amazing care they provided to Mary the last few months of her life. Contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders.
