Obituary of Denise Marie Kane

Denise Marie Kane, a retired preschool teacher passed away suddenly on Monday morning, April 18, 2022.  She was 70 years old.  Denise was born in Somerville and grew up in Woburn.  She was a member of Woburn High School’s Class of 1969.  She then went to Salem State College and finished her Education Degree at U Mass Lowell.  She worked for almost 10 years at Blue Cross Blue Shield as an editor.  She stopped working when her son Chris was born.  When her son was well established in school, she went back to work as a preschool teacher at World of Wonder in Woburn.  She worked there until she retired.  Denise loved children.  She loved introducing children to education, shaping their minds, and filling their hearts with joy.  She was always so excited when she met former students who remembered her. 

Denise lived a life of service to others.  She was filled with kindness and happiness.  She always placed others first and was filled with empathy for those in need.  She was sophisticated, had the best moral compass, and filled with profound wisdom.  She was a fantastic listener and shared thoughts when appropriate.  She was a kid at heart at times.  There were many vacations to North Conway New Hampshire that always included a day at Story Land.  She was a Disney fanatic.  She had been there numerous times with her last visit being this past November with her family to celebrate the 50^th anniversary and her 70^th birthday.  She loved the atmosphere, the food, music, fireworks, and seeing the faces of children fully mesmerized in the Disney experience.  She enjoyed a good movie or book and was forever a Beatles and Elvis fan.   She was a talented artist, and her home was filled with her sketches, paintings, and crafts.  She was a devoted wife to her husband Ed for 35 years.  The met at Eastover when Ed asked her dance.  They married in 1988 and have made Woburn their home ever since.  She was a caring and supportive mother and mother-in-law. She was a fun and caring grandmother who will be sadly missed.

Denise was the beloved wife of Edward F. Kane. She was the loving mother of Christopher Kane & his wife Stephanie of Woburn and the late Christina Smith. She was the sister of Richard Ciardi & his wife Catherine of Billerica. She was the proud grandmother of Samuel John Edward Kane and the expecting grandmother of Sabrina Marie Florence Kane. Daughter of the late Samuel and Ramona Ciardi.   Denise was also survived by an aunt, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Sunday, April 24 from 3-6 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Monday April 25 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd, Woburn at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn.  Denise’s family encourages guests to wear masks and colorful clothing.  Memorials in Denise’s name may be made to Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, www.childrenshospital.org, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.

Family Rememberance by Christopher Kane

Good Morning, I believe most of you know who I am, for those who don’t I am Chris Kane, Denise’s son.

I’d like to start today by saying this is probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, so I just ask for you patience and to bear with me as we all get through this Eulogy together.

My mother loved my writing, I would read her everything I wrote, whether it was a movie review, a short story, or poetry she would always sit there hanging on every word. So if it would be ok with you all, I would like to read this as if I am talking to her, reading her my latest work.

“What is grief, if not love persevering.” That quote from the Disney’s Wandavision has been playing over and over in my head since that morning. I’ve thought about it from all angles, and have applied it to how we are all feeling since you left us. But with a change of perspective, I realized that quote is you. Your life was never easy, and we all know the tragic life events you faced and had to endure. But you always did with such grace, poise, and most importantly love. You lived your life at all times with love. Through all your struggles, you refused to give up, and if we all could embody even a fraction of your strength then we would be able to move mountains and overcome all, especially losing you. I know everyone sitting here Mom, will miss you in their own way, and I just pray you watch over us all as we learn to live an love again, just as you had many times.

I can hear you in my head saying “be positive, think of the good” so, I want to redirect this to all the good you did. There’s not a day that will go by that the wisdom and knowledge you bestowed will not be felt on this earth. Your career as a teacher was beyond admirable. I think of the thousands of students you taught. All the lessons you taught each child laid a foundation for their young minds. You made an impact on this world, a beautiful impact that will carry many through there lives and careers. You gave so much to your career as a teacher, and you never asked for anything in return, because thats just who you were. Your selflessness and caring nature will be remembered always, thank you for helping to make the future of this often dark world brighter.

You always told me to write what I know. And theres lessons you have taught me, that are not found in a curriculum or classroom, they are found within a Mother’s heart and soul. I remember you always telling me to “make good decisions”. Now I didn’t always adhere to those words as an ignorant teenager, but when the road would fork, and some of my peers would veer left, I’d hear your voice in the back of my head and I would stay right. The greatest lesson you bestowed upon me was teaching me how to be the best parent and husband I can be. “It will be hard at times,” you would say “but you always need to think of your family first”. I always will Mom, I promise.

Your guidance and wisdom transcended all generations and time, and I know all your family and friends knew that when they needed you, whether it was for words of advice, a shoulder to cry on, or just someone to listen to them, you were always there. So in my eyes, and in my geeky heart, you are a Jedi Master right up there with the likes of Yoda. You saved and protected our emotional galaxy time and time again, and no “thank you” or medal could ever begin to express just how much peace you gave us all.

Wife, mother, Grandmother, daughter, grand daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, friend; you mastered each relationship with love. You’re caring nature was your greatest strength and your biggest weakness, but you never held a grudge. Well except there was that one time in Disney when they messed up our reservation requests, but thats a story for another day.

 Your legacy is a great one, and you will always be remembered for all that you gave and the strength you showed. You preserved through trying times and managed to always stay true to yourself. You made your family and friends, past, present and future proud.

Before I leave you all today I’d like to share with you something that happened this past week. My mother was very spiritual and always believed in signs. The day after my Mother passed, I prayed for a sign from her. Late in the day, I was taking our dog outside. As I opened the door I was greeted by the dark sky, but in front of that patch of darkness, was the brightest, most vivid Rainbow I have ever seen. You spent your career touching minds and hearts in the Rainbow Room. The last song you preformed with your final class before you retired was The Rainbow connection. We felt you in that moment, and will continue to feel your presence until once day we meet again. Just like that rainbow, you were bright, beautiful, loving and warm no matter how dark the sky was. This is not goodbye, this is see you later. On behalf of everyone here today, and for those who could not be, thank you Mom, you will always be in hearts.