Mary Ethel Lane

Mary Ethel Lane (née McMaster and née Rea)

1933-2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ethel Lane on 8th May, 2026, aged 93 years. In death, Ethel was predeceased by her parents, John Rea and Margaret (née Ferguson); by her first husband, Rev. Thomas M. McMaster, and by her second husband, Frederick G. Lane. Ethel will be greatly missed by her children: David McMaster (Marcella), Ann Sills (Kevin), Brian McMaster (Carole) and Graham Lane (Carol). She will also be missed by her grandchildren: Tommy McMaster (Sabrina), Pamela Sinclair (Trevor), Heather McMaster Davis (Terrol), Andrew McMaster (Chantal), Mathew McMaster (Emilie), Jamie McMaster (Kristin), Scott McMaster, and Sarah Lane; and by her great grandchildren, Mykenziee, Peyton, Logan, Hudson, Easton, Luna, and the very soon to be born, Arya.

Ethel Rea was born into a farming family in Ballydavey, Co. Down, N. Ireland. She went to school in nearby Holywood and graduated from Sullivan Upper School where she enjoyed sports and particularly Field Hockey. Ethel went on to train as a nurse at the Belfast City Hospital and undertook further Health Studies at Manchester Metropolitan University. In the United Kingdom, she worked primarily as a Health

Visitor and Fieldwork Instructor in Belfast before moving to Canada where she joined the Public Health Unit in Peel Region.

Ethel was a committed Christian and took on many roles in local churches in Ireland, N. Ireland, and Canada. At Bramalea Baptist Church, she became one of the first female deacons and was a member for some 50 years. She was a gifted vocalist and trained and sang competitively in Belfast as a soprano. It was through her singing that she met Tom McMaster who was training for Christian ministry. They were married and had three children. Tom’s tragic death as a young man, however, entailed that Ethel raised their children alone. She often said that God helped her through those difficult years. Her love and commitment to her children will never be forgotten.

Some 14 years after Tom’s death, Ethel met Fred Lane. Fred and Ethel had a happy marriage for 27 years until Fred’s passing. Because of her experiences, Ethel went on to lead a Coping & Bereavement program and a Seniors’ ministry for many years at Bramalea Baptist Church. Those and other ministries led to a number of long-term friendships.

Ethel loved people and always welcomed others into her home. She was a tremendous cook and baker and blessed others with dinner parties and evenings of tea and scones. Inevitably at these events, Ethel would take to the piano and encourage the singing of hymns and praise to God. Her loving heart, generous spirit, and strength will also never be forgotten.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life at Bramalea Baptist Church, 9050 Dixie Rd, Brampton, ON, L6S 1J3, on Friday, 29th May, 2026 at 2:00 pm. A private, family inurnment will take place at a later date in Meadowvale Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.wardfuneralhome.com . For those who would like to donate in Ethel’s memory, please give to a charity of your choice, or to Bramalea Baptist Church at https://www.bramalea.org/giving