Hudson – Shirley M. (Cummings) Kane, 84, of Hudson, died Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late Roger K. Kane, who died in January 2002.
Shirley was born in Framingham, daughter of the late Joseph and Avis (Marshall) Cummings. She was raised in Southborough where she attended local schools and was a 1945 graduate of Peters High School of Southboroogh. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Our Lady of Elms College of Chicopee in 1949 and later her Master's Degree in Education from Boston College as a member of the first co-ed graduating class.
In 1965, Shirley and her husband Roger purchased the 60-acre farm now known as Pompostitticut Farm. They took great pride in the raising of their six children, introducing them to the farm setting at their home and the many activities it included.
Shirley was an educator and ambassador within her community. She supported the enrichment and enhancement of many programs throughout her community and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of MetroWest, the Arts Alliance of Hudson and many other diverse programs within the community she loved. She was also a strong supporter of many educational institutions, including Saint John” High School of Shrewsbury and the former Saint Michael Parish Schools in Hudson. She was a member of Saint Michael's Parish in Hudson, member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and active member of the Mass. Farm Bureau.
She is survived by her six children, Roger K. Kane Jr. and his wife, Elaine, of Weston; Mary Lou Woodford and her husband, Skip Guss, of Southborough; David M. Kane and his wife, Banafsheh, of Weston; Kathleen K. Adams and her husband, John, of Hudson; Jacqueline E. Kane of Hudson; and James P. Kane and his wife, Jennifer, of Hudson. She is also survived by her sister, Beatrice McGrath and her husband, Ralph, of Marlborough; her 11 grandchildren, Alyssa, Alex, Olivia, Jake, Tim, Brittany, Aydin, Brian, Kurt, Andrew, and Caroline; and many nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Louisa Miller of Groton, Joseph Cummings of Southborough, and Mary Landsburg of Dorchester.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 26, at 10:15 a.m., in Saint Michael's Church, 21 Manning St., Hudson. Burial will follow at Forestvale Cemetery of Hudson. Calling hours will be held Friday, May 25, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central Street, Hudson.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Shirley may be made to any of the following: Massachusetts 4-H Foundation, 22 Eliot St., Ashland, MA 01721; Saint John's High School, 378 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545; or Cancer Resource Foundation, 225 Cedar Hill St., Suite 200, Marlborough, MA 01752.
