Kathleen M Kane Obituary

Kathleen Marie "Kathy" Kane
1942 - 2025
Age 82
Rockledge, Florida

Kathleen Marie "Kathy" Kane, beloved great grandmother, grandmother, aunt, mother, sister, friend, passed away peacefully with family holding her hand on January 6, 2025, in Rockledge, Florida. There were tears and warm memories shared in this bittersweet moment as final farewells were softly spoken to Kathy. Born on December 2, 1942, in Paterson, New Jersey, to Basil and Matilda Kane, Kathy was the eldest of four siblings. Her life was a tapestry woven with compassion, curiosity, and an enduring love for those around her.

Kathy’s early years were spent in Butler, NJ; Kingston, NY; and Saugerties, NY. It was during this time that her adventurous spirit and love of nature began to take root as a member of the Campfire Girls of America. This early spark ignited a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery. Guided by an innate calling to care for others, Kathy pursued a career in nursing. She earned her RN at the Benedictine School of Nursing-Kingston, NY, and later achieved her BSN degree, further solidifying her dedication to the field of nursing. Her career was marked by compassion and excellence as she began her nursing career in labor and delivery, was an office nurse and nursing home nurse, before transitioning to roles later in life with NAVCARE and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) WIC, TB and travel immunizations clinics.

After marrying and settling in Germantown, NY, Kathy embraced motherhood while raising four children. She supported their activities with enthusiasm as a Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout den mother. During these years, Kathy cultivated a variety of hobbies that enriched her family’s life. Her creativity shone through her hobbies: sewing special garments; crocheting warm blankets; crafting cross-stitch gifts; baking custom made birthday cakes; cooking meals that gathered loved ones together. Kathy’s interests included: ice skating under winter skies; walking through nature’s quiet beauty; stargazing at the vast night sky; belly dancing; chatting with friends over the CB radio; and planning cherished family trips to Lake George and Cape May. She had a gift for nursing injured wild animals and birds back to health developing close bonds with them.

In later years, Kathy embarked on yet another adventure when she moved with her family to Hanahan, SC. There she pursued a passion she was introduced to while in New York—aviation—and joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Through determination and fearless enthusiasm for learning new skills, she became the Squadron Commander and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel within CAP—a remarkable achievement that was a testament to her determination and adventurous spirit.

When retirement brought Kathy to Rockledge, FL, she found joy in continuing her genealogy research—delving into the stories of those who came before her—and caring for her beloved pets who were constant companions bringing comfort to her day and night. Her kitchen remained a place of enjoyment where she prepared both signature and new dishes that she loved talking about with family. Frequent phone calls kept bonds strong across distances as she nurtured connections with those dear to her heart.

Kathy’s lifelong love for the mountains held a special place in her heart. She will be laid to rest alongside her parents, in Saugerties upstate New York— a serene resting place surrounded by the Catskill Mountains she cherished —their majesty reminding her of life’s enduring beauty.

Kathy will be remembered not only for her adventurous spirit and all she accomplished but also for how deeply she cared—for people and animals near or far. She was greatly appreciated, deeply loved, and will be dearly missed. Her memory lives on in the hearts of her family, extended family and all who knew her.

As a member of the Body of Christ, may God bless Kathy with eternal grace. May she live in perpetual joy with all the angels, saints, and those that are saved. Human death is simply the next step on the pathway to the everlasting presence and love of God.