Betty J. Kane

Betty J. Kane, of Hanahan, SC passed away peacefully on the night of August 23, 2026, 1 month after her 100th birthday celebration where she was presented with a “Betty Kane Day” plaque by the First Responders and the Hanahan Hawk, mascot for the local schools.

Betty was born in Detroit, Michigan July 23, 1926, the daughter of Francis E. Henderson and Dora Dorothy Davis. She was the youngest of 7 Siblings (1 deceased as an infant). Betty graduated from Highland Park High School in 1944. She worked at Saks Fifth Avenue and then at Ford Motor Company. At Ford, Betty met the love of her life, Michael (Mick) P. Kane, where he worked until World War II broke out, when he enlisted in the Navy and attended the University of Chicago to become a Cryptologist. He attained rank of Radioman 1st Class (E-6) with the Navy where he served until Feb 2, 1946. Mick was credited with Foreign and/or Sea Service WW II, American Area Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Betty and Mick married June 12, 1948 at Christ the King, a small Catholic Church in Redford, MI. They became very proud parents of their daughter Kathryn (Kitty) L. Kane, born April 26, 1949.

In 1985, Betty and Mick moved to Kentucky for a few years, after Mick accepted another position with Ford. They eventually moved to North Charleston in 1988 and settled in Hanahan Sept 1989, where they both enjoyed being active members of the Lions Club and a Dinner Theatre Group. Betty also enjoyed being a part of the “Tea Ladies”. Her favorite charities were the Humane Society and charities involving Police & Firemen.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her 7 siblings, her husband Mick (2008) and their beloved daughter Kitty (2004). Kitty retired as a Commander in the Navy (CDR/05). She served as a White House Aide under President Ronald Reagan. Betty is also preceded in death by her nephew Gregory “Cricket” Farkas and his wife Dana. In addition, Richie Barnfield, who Betty greatly appreciated for always collecting her mail and taking out her garbage bin and her little Dachshund, Merlin, whom Betty loved fiercely.

Betty is survived by many nieces and nephews (GA, CA, MI, TN and her favorite niece in Australia (Mary Lou) as well as her sister-in-law in TN (Ann Erickson) and several great nieces and nephews as well as many friends and neighbors who watched over her.

Her nieces in GA (Heike Payne) and MI (Barb Smrtka) and Will Johnston (a good friend who help her greatly through a difficult time in her life) would like to thank Shanoah at Hospice, the caregivers at Griswold Health Care - all took amazing care of Betty for the last year (Melvina, Christine, Nicole, Robin, Melissa P. and Melissa H.) and Susan Barrington, who watched over Betty part time prior to her full time care. We will all miss Betty and her feistiness!

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday 10 October 11:30-1:30 at Carolina Memorial Gardens (7113 Rivers Ave. in N Charleston). In lieu of flowers, please remember Betty and her love of dachshunds with your donation to: https://www.chapmansdox.com