In Loving Memory
Margaret E. Kane
September 6, 1947 – June 8, 2023
Celebration of Life
August 22, 2023
Providence Marriott Downtown
1 Orms St, Providence, RI 02904
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Obituary of Margaret E. Kane
Known for her wit, her passion for lung health, and her civic activity
Margaret E. Kane, 75, of Barrington, RI, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 8, 2023 after a long illness following a stroke in June last year.
Born in Hornell, NY, she grew up in upstate New York and Bradenton, Florida. After graduation from Florida State University, she moved to Rhode Island and taught briefly in North Attleboro, MA. Then her long career with the American Lung Association in Rhode Island (through various organizational name changes) culminated as Executive Director. Proud of her fight for healthy lungs, she helped hundreds of Rhode Islanders quit smoking, and helped get the laws passed for smokefree schools and public places. Also active with the American Lung Association nationally on a number of committees, she was a Past President of the Congress of Lung Association Staff (CLAS). She also was very involved with supporting health education in Rhode Island schools and public health awareness and advocacy.
Her wit and sense of humor livened up her civic activities. She was very active in Providence Rotary and the Providence Rotary Charities Foundation. Margaret served as President of Operation Clean Government and was an alumna of Leadership Rhode Island.
In Barrington she could often be found eating, greeting friends, and cracking jokes at a variety of local eateries. She was a member of the Republican Town Committee and ran for Town Council and then State Representative with her motto “Kane is Able.” Her door knocking campaign helped her identify issues of concern to town residents and she served as Chairperson of the Barrington Senior Services Advisory Board. For several years she was involved with East Bay real estate firms.
She much enjoyed spending time on Sanibel Island, Florida (especially shelling), at Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks, and in Ogunquit and Wells, Maine.
Other things she was particularly proud of included participating in Girl Scouts through Senior Scouting and national Roundup, building houses with her dad, and her athletic career at Florida State. It took many years, but she and her teammates on the 1969 Track and Field team finally got their certificates as members of the first FSU women’s team to be All-Americans.
She was predeceased by her parents James T. “Ted” and Louise Belle (Gow) Kane and her brother James W. “Jimmy” Kane, and her dear housemate of 47 years Jean MacCorison. She is survived by her cousins Christina Gow Caferelli and Elizabeth Gow Almes and their families on Long Island, NY and her extensive adopted family in the United Kingdom including Jan Long and her beloved goddaughter Annie Webb. She will be missed by a multitude of friends locally and around the U.S. and the world, including Molly Clark of Providence, RI.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Tuesday, August 22 in Providence, RI. Donations in Margaret’s memory may be made to Providence Rotary Charities Foundation, PO Box 41184, Providence, RI 02940 or to the charity of your choice.
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I will always remember her with that quick smile and her humor always telling a funny story or joke!! And how supportive she was when I opened my Cafe and she use as her campaign head quarters such fond memories with her and Jean will be missed but always remember.
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With Margaret as the Executive Director of the American Lung Association of Rhode Island, being on the board of the organization was great fun! For all the serious and life-saving work the Association did, I remember the laughter the most. She made every meeting – every gathering – even more meaningful because we all enjoyed each other and had fun together. That’s how I remember Margaret – as a leader who knew how to get the most from others thru laughter and silliness.
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Behind her great smile and high spirits, was my highly intelligent friend, Margaret. She was always ready to undertake a tough project or an interesting challenge with humor and hard work. What a woman!
Carl
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During what now seems like a lifetime ago I worked with Margaret at the Rhode Island Lung Association. For 11 years we worked together as program staff; Margaret (aka MEK) with her focus on smoking and mine on air pollution and industrial health. We were not just workmates but also formed a gratifying and treasured friendship that continued after I moved from RI to Maine and then on to New Zealand.
Like many others I enjoyed MEK for her unique combination of high ethics, effective advocacy for change, and her ability to laugh in the face of often sober situations. She will always be an inspiration for caring for others and working for change while keeping things in perspective.
She was one of only 2 people in my 73 years with whom I devolved into apoplectic laughter, to the point where neither of us could function due to hysterics. On one occasion while on the way to an out-of-state conference we began laughing so hard we had to pull off the road to regain control.
Margaret was indeed the “real deal” – and will be greatly missed.
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I’m sorry that I cannot be there to celebrate Margaret’s life with others who cared about her. She was a special woman and I will miss her very much. Her quick wit and sly comments never failed to make me laugh. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She loved humor but she was pragmatic and smart. She wouldn’t hesitate to call out bs. In fact, she loved to shock people by saying that word! Goodbye Margaret. You will be missed.
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Margaret and I were roommates in Rhode Island in 1971-72, and had funny events during that time. We remained close friends for over 50 years and I saw Jean & her often as I lived in Boston and we would rendezvous.
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Talk about one person making a difference! Margaret was such an inspiration, and one who actually got things done. So ‘When the Saints Come Marchin’ in’ I would imagine Margaret would be a serious contender for the top job to lead the way, keep ’em in line, and keep ’em laughin’ and smilin’ all the way!
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In Rotary, Margaret was always so happy to be part of the Club’s meetings and activities, to help wherever she could, and to keep us laughing. She was a great spirit and an example of persevering despite circumstances. The thought of her will always make me smile. She is missed!
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It was an honor being on the first track and field with margaret, she was fine she was strong. She did a great job, representing Florida State University and I’m proud to have gotten to know her at FSU.
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I have known Margaret since she was a teenager and always found her sense of worth and her humor made her a well rounded young lady. I was friends with her parents and they instilled in her an interest in life and all it entailed. She will be missed! RIP Margaret
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While I was not a Rotarian myself, my husband was an active member for years. I would join him for some meetings,and always hoped Margaret would be there. I enjoyed her humerus ways, and ability to make us laugh. She always added so much to the meeting.
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Margaret was kind, generous and extremely funny! We miss her, but fondly remember her with a smile!
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I knew Margaret in her capacity as the Chair of Operation Clean Government. She was always a thoughtful and welcoming person, and had a great sense of humor. We will all miss her passion, intelligence, and home-spun common sense in advocating for government reforms.
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Our 35 year friendship has been one of the most significant contributors to the laughter, thoughtfulness and enjoyment of my life. Thank you Margaret for the gift of you.
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I have so many warm memories of Margaret. She was always funny, I loved her singing with Astrid in Bremerton when we visited Washington State. She was gracious, smart, and witty. I learned a lot from her about enjoying life in general. I am so happy I could spend those times with her and our other friends. I bet she’s still singing!
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Margaret Kane was one of a kind and will be missed but her directions remain and laughs forever
Namaste🙏
Arthur And Miriam Plitt
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Margaret Kane had an intoxicating and vivacious personality. We were great friends in our college days at Florida State University. I remember so clearly the final exam week of our senior year. She had an exam in “how to teach gymnastics” and she needed a non-athletic person (me) to demonstrate her skills. We put off our preparatory rehearsal to the night before the exam. “Oh this will be a breeze” she exclaimed. Well, at 11 PM we sneaked into the gym and she tied me into the support belt with pulleys to practice doing a “flip”. I was uncoordinated and she was pulling too hard, so I flew up into the air…scared spitless. Then to make matters worse, the lights automatically went out and I had to land in the dark and with a thud !
Well, the good news is she passed her exam and I survived. We laughed so much, and that special experience cemented our friendship for life.
I know her joyous personality is lighting up the halls of heaven !!!
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Her wit and humor will be sorely missed at Rotary
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We will miss Margaret’s humour, fun and anecdotes.
Although we were many miles apart, her warmth and friendship when we did meet up was boundless.
We were lucky to have had her in our lives.
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Margaret was one of my mentors and a friend. I am deeply saddened that she is no longer with us. I can still hear her laugh. It was infectious. She was an incredible person, advocate and educator. Rhode Islanders are breathing easier because of her life‘s work.
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Tom and I always enjoyed lunch more when Margaret and Jean were at Vicky’s wonderful restaurant in Kent street .
Delicious food , fun and laughter at every meal ! You will be missed Margaret . Fondly
Tommy and Marianne 💕
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Margaret was my friend and mentor in Tobacco Control. Her wit and her presence were inimitable. Thanks for the memories Margaret, and hold on those on the other side, she is a hoot!
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From your British sister with memories of love, fun and laughter. You will never be forgotten