Theresa Frances Kane of Cullman passed away in her home on Monday evening, Dec. 5, after a long fruitful life of serving others through her Catholic Faith.
Following intensive surgery in early November (at the age of 96!), she spent recovery time in CRMC, Hanceville Nursing Home and a return trip to CRMC. The staff of both facilities treated her and her family with kindness and dignity. In the final days of her life, she was able to return to her home under Hospice care. During this time, she was cared for lovingly by her nephew and niece, Michael and Nancy Kane. Her front door frequently opened with a constant flow of friends bringing Holy Communion, along with heartfelt prayers and thanks for this ‘little lady’ who influenced so many lives throughout the course of her own existence!
Born the fourteenth/fifteenth (she was twin sister to brother Frank!) child to parents Sarah and Michael Kane on February 4, 1926, in Centralia, Pennsylvania, she was predeceased by her siblings: William, Rev. Thomas, Harold, James, Margaret, Mary, Sr. Marita Michael, IHM (Helen); John, Joseph, Dorothy, Fr. Bernard Ignatius, OSB; Raymond, Vincent and Frank.
Theresa is survived by a very large group of friends and acquaintances who mourn the loss of Theresa to death, but who can only imagine the Homecoming which awaited her this past Monday! What a Heavenly celebration it was as Jesus proclaimed, “Welcome Home, My good and faithful servant!”
Theresa Kane, an unassuming and humble woman, has been a resident of Cullman for the past half century. This 96-year “young,” “sharp as a tack” transplant from Philadelphia, Penn., along with her twin brother Frank, is the youngest of 15 children, 10 boys and 5 girls, born to Sarah and Raymond Kane. With a family this size which also included a second set of twins, it was imperative that the older children each take charge of one of their younger siblings.
Hailing from Centralia, Penn., a city built over coal mines (which eventually was destroyed by fires in the mine shafts and never rebuilt), they lost their home and moved to Philadelphia. During her childhood years she attended Catholic school, sang in the church choir and formed the basis for the next 75 years of her life.
This early Catholic education and strong religious connection to the Church resulted in two of her brothers being ordained into the priesthood while one of her sisters entered a religious order. She herself began a lifetime working career with the Bell Telephone Company. While in Philadelphia she quickly advanced up the corporate ladder, holding several senior positions during her tenure there.
A natural leader with a personality that attracted others, Theresa mentored young women at work as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Never marrying, she cared for her parents until their death.
Her young life in Philadelphia was marked by an active participation in her home Church, choir and various other community events. Theresa served as a major fundraiser for St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama, as her brother Fr. Ignatius, OSB, had joined the Monastic community there some years before.
In the early seventies, following the death of her parents, Theresa moved to Cullman, transitioning her Bell Telephone work to the Birmingham area. Not long after she had settled in, her twin brother Frank and his family followed. Thus three of the Kane children were together again.
With her work for the Bell Phone Company in Birmingham, Theresa continued in a supervisory capacity, traveling all around the South assisting other offices as needed.
Unfortunately, she suffered a heart attack and retired from her lifetime career.
Always a “go-getter,” Theresa has contributed very quietly in so many ways to her Church family of Sacred Heart of Jesus and to local organizations. As a member of the Women’s Altar Society, she served on the local level, as well as on the Deanery, Diocesan and National Boards of the religious group.
She and fellow members orchestrated numerous conventions and retreats for Catholic women.
In years past, Theresa has been active locally in forming interdenominational prayer groups, working to assist those in need, and has been active in numerous vacation Bible schools both at Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Boniface Church in Hanceville.
One of her most significant ministries has been the opening of Her Choice of North Alabama Pregnancy Center, now First Source for Women, in Hanceville. Seeing a need to help those facing pregnancy issues with nowhere to turn, she and several other community members formed a committee, set to work locating an office and opening the doors of the Center in 2007. This life-saving mission continues today, offering free counseling and education to both women and men, medical tests and mentoring to their clients.
This multi-talented woman is a piano-playing singer who composes lyrics and music as well as beautiful poetry. While she doesn’t get around like she used to, her mind is always active, coming up with new ideas on how to help others or just to bring comfort to those in need. Theresa is, and has been these past 95 years, one of life’s truly inspiring unsung heroes.
Services for Ms. Kane will include a Dec. 9 visitation in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church from 6-7:30 p.m. with recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 pm on Thursday, Dec. 9. Her body will lie in state with Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday morning, December 10, conducted by Fr. Patrick Egan, OSB, Pastor. Burial will be in Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery following the liturgical services. Theresa will be buried alongside her twin brother Frank and his wife Betty Kane.
In lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations may be made in her name to her beloved program ‘First Source for Women’ 203 Commercial St, Hanceville, AL 35077.
Hanceville Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kane Family.
