Dorothy Peck Kane

Dorothy Peck Kane, a beloved art educator, devoted friend, gracious hostess, and longtime summer resident of Crystal Beach, Ontario, died peacefully at the Westminster Health Center in Bradenton, FL on September 21, 2026, at the age of 88. She had recently resided in the Shores at Westminster Bradenton/Point Pleasant after many happy years at Bayshore on the Lake.

Dorothy shared 51 years of marriage with her cherished husband, John V. Kane III, who predeceased her in April 2016. She was also the beloved mother of Michael P. (Bonnie) and Maureen E. (Lenard) Fyke, and Nana to David M. Kane, Erin M. Kane, and Tara C. Fyke.

Dorothy was born in Buffalo, NY on January 27, 1938 to Norine B. Kehoe and Hobart H. Peck. A 1956 graduate of Mount St. Joseph’s Academy High School, Dorothy went on to pursue a bachelor’s degree in art education at Buffalo State Teachers College. Dorothy started her teaching career at Cleveland Hill High School in Cheektowaga, NY making many lifelong friends while there. Following a move to Poughkeepsie, NY with her husband John and a brief hiatus as a homemaker, Dorothy re-ignited her passion for art education working at St. Mary’s Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, NY from 1977 to 1984, St. John the Evangelist Elementary School in Beacon, NY from 1979 to 1980, and Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, NY from 1983 to her retirement in 2000 as Chair of the Art Department.

It was at Our Lady of Lourdes High School where Dorothy’s rare gift as an inspirational art teacher came to life with students, faculty, administrators, and parents. Dorothy positively affected the trajectory of many of her students’ lives by championing parents to see their child’s talent, encouraging them to support their child's request to go to art school, and giving parents confidence that a career in the arts was not only possible, but necessary. Many of her former students are still thriving with careers and hobbies in the arts because of Dorothy’s encouragement to pursue their creative gifts and inspiration to believe in themselves, and we are all grateful for her vision and perseverance. Dorothy had a unique way of seeing the world, believing that beauty, design, and creativity were essential to a life well lived, and that conviction guided everything she did. Many will also never forget her instruction to not leave home without first applying your lipstick!

However, it was in entertaining and being social with many of her cherished family and friends where Dorothy thrived most." She had a special gift of warmth and compassion, for making people feel welcome and important. Opening her heart to others, Dorothy wanted everyone to feel like they belonged and often searched for just the right gift for them. Dorothy was an elegant, gracious hostess throughout the years, planning numerous dinner and cocktail parties for family and friends – some with exact timings down to the minute for every dish, while others were spur-of-the moment happenings where whatever food was available magically became a fun and memorable event. Being social was like oxygen for Dorothy and she possessed a genuine interest in people's lives, interests, and stories. Raised as an only child, Dorothy’s closest friends were always more than just friends but actually family to her and without whom she would not have survived and thrived.

With her husband John, Dorothy was a member of the Buffalo Canoe Club and an Associate member following his death in 2016, sharing a lifelong love of antique and classic boating on John’s 1956 17-foot mahogany Chris Craft. At the BCC, Dorothy shared her passion for playing canasta and formed a regular weekly group, inspiring a whole new generation of card players that continue playing today. Her many friends and staff at the BCC enjoyed Dorothy’s effervescent personality and quick wit, particularly on Monday Pasta Nights “making reservations” when it was her turn to cook while summering in Crystal Beach. Dorothy was kind and spirited, always impeccably put together with elegance and dignity, and the first to compliment those around her.

Dorothy also had a very strong faith formed in the Roman Catholic Church and instilled a strong faith within her family. Dorothy was particularly devoted to the Blessed Mother, especially under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and often remarked on moments when she felt Mary's guidance and intercession in our lives. We are confident Dorothy is now with Mary and all of the angels and saints in heaven.

The family wishes to thank Dorothy’s close friends Jeanine Lisee and Mary Wood who stood by her with love, laughter, and friendship through her final years and many health challenges in Bradenton. Your kindness, generosity, friendship, and love mean the world to us, and you will never be forgotten.

We also want to express immense gratitude to Dorothy’s aide, Tamika Fairclough of Westminster Home Care, who is Maureen’s amazing “Wonder-Twin” care partner and very often went above and beyond over the past two years to ensure Dorothy’s quality of life to her death. We also wish to share our gratitude with Dorothy’s core care team of Crystal Van Leeuwen, DNP APRN, Annette Wurst, RN Supervisor of Westminster Home Care, the nursing, CNA, staff, maintenance, and administrative teams at Westminster Bradenton/Point Pleasant, Shekevia Smith, RN with Tidewell/Empath Hospice, and the incredibly generous team of Tidewell/Empath Hospice vigil volunteers who were at Dorothy’s bedside in her final days.

We are particularly grateful to Chaplain Dino Silvestrini of Westminster Bradenton/Point Pleasant and Fr. Rafal Ligenza of St. Joseph Catholic Church for their many years of providing the family with spiritual care, guidance, and solace, especially in these last few months of Dorothy’s life.

Dorothy leaves behind countless friends, former students, colleagues, and family members whose lives were enriched by her generosity, encouragement, style, wit, and unwavering friendship. She believed that beauty, creativity, hospitality, faith, and friendship were essential parts of a life well lived, and she shared those gifts generously with everyone fortunate enough to know her. Dorothy’s legacy lives on in everyone who loved her.

Friends may call Friday, October 9, 4-7 PM at the DENGLER, ROBERTS, PERNA FUNERAL HOME, 3070 Delaware Ave., Kenmore. Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret Catholic Church, 1395 Hertel Ave, on Saturday, October 10, at 10 AM which will be livestreamed for anyone unable to attend in-person. A lunch celebration will follow featuring Dorothy’s signature cocktail of bar vodka, diet cola, wedge of lime, and cocktail straw served in a stem glass, along with her favorite shrimp appetizer. A memorial celebration of Dorothy’s life with the same signature cocktail and shrimp appetizer will be held in Bradenton, FL at a future date.

In tribute to Dorothy's lifelong passion for inspiring young artists, in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Dorothy P. Kane Award for Excellence in Visual Art, a scholarship established by Dorothy’s husband, John, in her honor upon her retirement in 2000. Donations may be sent to Our Lady of Lourdes High School, Attn: Advancement Office/Dorothy P. Kane Award for Excellence in Visual Art, 131 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.