Obituary of Clarly Seiler Lane

Clarly Seiler Lane, born in Switzerland on April 23, 1927, died on February 17, 2024 in Venice, Fla., where she had lived for more than 40 years.

A native of Rheinfelden, Switzerland, Clarly loved to draw and paint even as a child. As a teenager she worked as an apprentice for a well-known Swiss pottery company, creating numerous original designs for pottery dishes and special orders, and was eventually promoted to a head designer position. She was a student in one of Switzerland's leading art schools in Basel, where she studied painting, drawing and sculpting.

Clarly moved to the United States as a military wife and lived throughout the United States, England and Asia with the love of her life, Col. Roland E. Lane, USAF.

In Bangkok she studied the art of batik and created numerous batik cloth artworks, including wall hangings and lamp shades. Throughout her life Clarly was sought out to teach, illustrate booklets, and create painted wood pieces and clothing for friends and area gift shops. 

For decades she was active in the Venice Art Center where she worked in various mediums. Her one-of-kind collage greeting cards, featuring real plants and flowers, were sold at the Art Center. Throughout her life, Clarly painted Swiss folk art on wood pieces and furniture for friends and family. 

She was also an accomplished hostess, cook, seamstress and gardener.

Clarly was a 70-year+ member of PEO, an international women's organization. She was actively involved in the Sarasota DM Chapter, designing the cover of their annual membership booklet for more than two decades. 

She is survived by her daughter Pat Charles and son-in-law Brad of Chattanooga, Tenn., and her beloved

grandson Chris Charles of Venice, Fla., with whom she spent many treasured moments, especially during the last year of her life. She is also survived by her Swiss cousin, Evelyn Weatherall, of Brighton, Ontario.

A private funeral service will be held at Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville, Tennessee where Clarly will be buried alongside her husband. Memorial contributions in her name can be made to the Venice Art Center. 

Her family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the Assisted Living staff of Jacaranda Trace for their special care. Special thanks also to Lorrie Ranslem of Englewood, Fla. who was Clarly's devoted and much-loved caregiver the last year of her life.

Farley Funeral Home in Venice is handling the arrangements.  To send a memory or condolence please visit www.farleyfuneralhome.com.