Patricia Kane

Patricia (Pat) Kane, age 93, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. Pat lived a long and generous life, with a strong focus on caring for others. Her unfailing instinct was kindness. Her great sense of empathy allowed her to understand, to support, and to see the inner beauty at the heart of who we all are. Her mantra, repeated throughout her life, even as her memories began to slip away, was “We are so lucky; we have such a great family.” Beyond her family, Pat was a social person, belonging to three bookclubs, an Artist's Way group, and a writing memoir group simultaneously! She would sometimes stay up the entire night, reading, and still rise and cook the daily oatmeal gloop that we remember fondly.

The great love of Pat’s life was her husband Jerry—and of course her children (Kerry, Kevin, Katie, Tim, and Michael) and their spouses (John, Frances, Debbie, Carl, and Leslie), and without a doubt her grandchildren (Brendan, Bernadette, Jonathan, Benjamin, Alicia, Sarah Rose, Patrick, Andrew, Serena, and Ainsley) and their spouses (Rachel, Tobi, Zoe, Carlos, and Karli), and naturally her great-grandsons (Finn, Elliot, Luke, Noah, and Dominic) . . . along with many close extended family members, one and all, all part of our “great family.”

Jerry, however, was Pat’s soulmate, through 64 years of marriage. Their annual autumn anniversary trip to Lake Superior nourished Pat’s meditative side. The joy of the all-family summer trips to the same healing water was palpable; a place of renewal amidst her beloved family. She survived Jerry by nine years, in part because the delight of being in the world amongst friends, family, and others was so strong. As Pat needed greater care, she was assisted by family and others, notably Katie, with support from Bernadette and Gilbert. Katie cared for Mom with the same love with which Mom had cared for her. Our entire family will remember their annual birthday song, performed with great gusto via phone by Pat and Katie! In her last year of life, Pat received incredibly dedicated and loving care at the Rakhma Joy Home. Pat’s social self enjoyed being with her Rakhma “family,” as did we. Anyone who would like to make a contribution in Pat’s name is encouraged to donate to the progressive and community-oriented Rakhma Homes.