GMS counselor Lanie dies due to illness

Monday, September 24, 2007
Berdee Lanie

A long-time Greencastle educator died Monday morning, and the students and colleagues she worked with are mourning her loss.

Roberta L. "Berdee" Lanie, a counselor at Greencastle Middle School, died after a struggle with ovarian cancer.

"Berdee had a lot of friends inside and outside of school," Supt. Robert Green said Monday afternoon. "She will be sorely missed."

Faculty members were notified of her death prior to the start of school Monday, and students were later given the news by their teachers. Letters were also sent home with students to notify parents of the tragedy.

Mrs. Lanie had been on medical leave since shortly after the start of the current school year.

GMS Principal Shawn Gobert said her death came as a shock to many at the school.

"People have done remarkably well," Gobert said in assessing the school atmosphere, "and the students have been respectful that the teachers have suffered a tremendous loss."

Lanie began her Greencastle career in education as an elementary teacher in 1976. She was an elementary counselor from 1986-93, and then served as guidance counselor at the middle school.

Supt. Green estimated that Lanie had touched the educational lives of 6,000 Greencastle students.

"She was a wonderful counselor, completely dedicated to the children she served," Supt. Green said. "This has been a devastating loss to the school system, as well as to her family and the community."

An obituary for Lanie, with memorial and funeral arrangements, appears on Page 2A.

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  • Friends far and wide are shocked and saddened by the passing of a wonderful person---Berdee Lanie was a kind, caring, wise counselor, a loving mother who had to suffer unbearable grief, but still remained concerned about her family, her church, her neighbors, and her friends. Kindness and concern radiated from her presence and she is irreplaceable.

    Larry & Margie Taylor (Bloomington)

    Evelyn Taylor (Neighbor-DeLand, Florida

    -- Posted by LPTaylor on Tue, Sep 25, 2007, at 5:24 AM
  • As a parent that knew Berdee Lanie she will be greatly "MISSED". She was always there to talk to you if there was any kind of problems involving your child, no matter what the issue would be. She made the children feel at ease no matter what the issue. I know I had a child with some learning disabilities and she made him feel so at ease that he felt he could go to her with any problem. I always looked forward to talking with her for her wisdom was so great!! It will be hard to even think of replacing her. All Our Hearts Go Out To Her Family!!!! May God be with you always!!!

    -- Posted by honestangel on Sat, Oct 6, 2007, at 2:03 AM
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