In Memoriam: Helen Spratt Murchison Lane

June 1, 1924 – May 18, 2025

The Jacksonville community mourns the passing of Helen Spratt Murchison Lane, who passed away on May 18, just two weeks shy of her 101st birthday.

Helen stood as one of Jacksonville’s most stalwart champions and supporters, spearheading initiatives and founding organizations furthering arts and culture, in particular, for the city she loved so much. Her endless devotion to the City of Jacksonville left an indelible mark on our community and her passion laid the groundwork that allowed some of Jacksonville’s most notable nonprofit organizations to flourish, facilitating years of positive impact, change and growth in our community.

The eldest daughter of Helen Spratt and Charles Holton Murchison, Helen was born on June 1, 1924, in Boston, Massachusetts. When she was an infant, her family moved to Jacksonville, and she spent her life in the Bold City. She graduated from Bartram School and Sweet Briar College and married Edward Wood Lane, Jr., with whom she raised four children. Together, Helen and Ed stood as steadfast champions for the Jacksonville community through numerous philanthropic efforts.

Helen sat on multiple boards of trustees, including the Jacksonville Symphony, the River City Band, Bartram School, The Bolles School, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, the Jacksonville History Center and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

“Helen Lane was a strong community trustee who led with Southern grace,” said John Zell, SVP of Development at The Community Foundation. “She often laid the groundwork for efforts to improve our community with her signature poise and style. In addition to creating permanent endowments with her husband, Edward, to benefit organizations in perpetuity, she and four other female trustees of The Community Foundation were founding members of the Women’s Giving Alliance. The WGA just celebrated surpassing $10 million in grants to improve the quality of life for women and girls in Northeast Florida. The WGA is just one of many movements in our community influenced by the leadership of Helen Lane.”

Sabeen Perwaiz, current WGA president, shared sentiments on behalf of past WGA Presidents Paula Liang, Ellen Wiss, Julia Taylor, Susan Schantz, Barbara Harrell, Courtenay Wilson, Mary Pietan, Sandy Cook, Jan Healy and Sheila Collier:

“Helen was a remarkable woman who wanted to improve the lives of women and girls in Northeast Florida,” said Perwaiz. “She is fondly remembered and dearly missed by the Women’s Giving Alliance.”

Her tireless devotion to the City of Jacksonville was recognized through multiple accolades throughout her lifetime: She and Ed were honored with the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals First Coast Chapter. The Jacksonville History Center also named Helen a Woman of Distinction. Her work restoring Victorian homes in the Riverside community earned her the Florida Nation Trust Award for Historic Preservation. St. Johns Cathedral granted her the Bishop’s Cross Award and she received the Tillie Fowler Award from the Junior League of Jacksonville – to name a few.

“The Junior League of Jacksonville is deeply saddened by the passing of Past President Helen Lane. Her unwavering dedication to civic service and her remarkable spirit enriched our community in countless ways. Helen was a true community trustee and a distinguished leader whose legacy will continue to inspire. She will be profoundly missed.”

Helen is survived by daughter Palmer L. Dorne (Joe), daughter Anna T. Lane, son Charles M. Lane, son Edward W. Lane, III (Barney), 13 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, May 31, at St. John’s Cathedral.

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All of us at Resident News and Circles Magazine, as well as the entire Jacksonville community, will deeply miss Helen Lane. Over the past 18 years, we had the privilege of getting to know her well. She was incredibly generous and devoted her life to giving. Helen graced the cover of our inaugural Circles Magazine as one of the extraordinary women leading the charge in philanthropy – a role she lived with grace, strength and humility.