Ida MacLane

Ida MacLane, a remarkable 101 years young, passed away peacefully at home in Cranston, Rhode Island on March 17, 2026. She left this world exactly as she lived in it: in the comfort of the home she loved, surrounded by the family she cherished more than anything.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Thomas MacLane Sr., and her siblings Josephine Viau, Eleanor Sousa and Mary Battersby.

Her family legacy lives on through her brother Joseph Simonelli; her son Thomas MacLane Jr. and Catherine Raftery; her daughter Doreen MacLane-Baeder and husband David Baeder; her beloved grandchildren Mindy, Tracey, Tommy, Tyler, and Paige; and her great-grandchildren Devahn, Griffin, Brooke, Madison, Alexandra Jane, Leighton, Abbey, Ellie, Weston, Bo and Mac.

Born on July 17th, 1924 in Pawtucket to Amanzina Simonelli and Giuseppe Vignali, Ida lived through a century of history with a sharp wit and a legendary sense of humor that never faded.

Ida was known and will be remembered for her unmatched strength and energy - remarkable not just in its presence, but in how modestly it was sustained. She found a quiet simple peace in the scent of laundry with fresh sheets on the line, and was rarely seen without a piece of chocolate (or two) nearby to sweeten her day. She always looked forward to family dinner outings (especially if Uncle Joe was paying), and would stay up the latest anytime family was around to maximize every available minute together.

While Ida was never one for competition, she was a master of mischief. She was a regular at Debbie’s bingo table and a veteran of the Uno deck, where she’d often be caught slipping in a few extra cards instead of one just to get a laugh. That mischief extended to the dinner table, where she was frequently caught sneaking food to the dogs, always insisting with a twinkle that "it just fell."

Ida remembered everything. She was the sharp and steady keeper of a hundred years of family stories and secrets. Her humor and her brilliance were her trademarks, gifts she used to brighten every day and every heart for over a century.

Beyond her immediate family, Ida became “Gram” to many more. Multiple generations of family friends, the neighborhood, and even the broader community came to know, love, and call “Gram” their own. She was the "Gram" who taught them that family is the greatest prize of all, that a good smile can fix almost anything, and that you should always keep a very close eye on the deck and chocolate supplies. She was loved so much and her passing leaves a hole in the hearts of everyone who knew her.

A celebration of Ida’s 101 years will be held on March 31 between 4 and 6 PM at the Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home in Pawtucket followed by a funeral mass on April 1 at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Hornbine Road in Rehoboth, MA at 11 AM. Burial services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you enjoy a piece of chocolate (or two) while playing a game with your loved ones, or perform a random act of kindness in Ida's name. Donations may be made to the SPCA or your local animal shelter.