Louanne Kane

Louanne Kane, age 81 of Toms River, NJ, died Thursday, July 1, 2021 of complications from heart surgery. She was born on November 4, 1939 in Johnstown, PA to the late Ernest and (Agnes) Irene Kane. Louanne attended Johnstown High School before graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Married to Victor Menegatti on June 23, 1963, Louanne taught Home Economics at Toms River High School before pouring her heart into becoming a stay at home Mom.

Her life-long passion was to help others create positive changes in their lives that lead to life fulfillment. She worked as Parish Aide for St. Paul Lutheran Church in Beachwood. She attained both a Master of Arts in Counseling and Certificate of Gerontological Counseling from Trenton State College and earned recognition as a National Certified Counselor. This second career included 20 years of counseling and supervising the Senior Guidance Program with Preferred Behavioral Health. She initiated a Peer Counseling program, earning the 1996 JC Penney Award for Outstanding Achievements in Community Service and the 1999 Governor’s Award for Volunteerism.

Louanne actively continued to work with the Ocean County Office of Senior Services creating and facilitating workshops as the coordinator for the Take Care of Your Health program. She served as an active member of the Ocean County College Speakers Bureau, where she was an adjunct professor of Gerontology. She volunteered as a telephone listener for Contact of Ocean County and was a Listening Skills Trainer for Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. Louanne was a member of the Board of Directors for Community Services of Ocean County; Secretary of the Board of Directors at The Pines at Whiting; Secretary and President of the Advisory Board of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program; Advisory Board Member of the Lighthouse Network of Toms River and Secretary of the Board of Deacons at the Presbyterian Church of Toms River, where she also served as a Stephen Minister.

Louanne was very active and loved being outdoors at the beach and parks. She enjoyed walking, exploring new activities and traveling with family and friends. She was creative with arts and crafts, home decorating, entertaining and gardening, as well as a talented cook and seamstress. She was beautiful, kind, compassionate and graceful. She gathered life-long friends wherever she worked or volunteered.

Louanne is survived by her daughter Terri Nowotny, son-in-law Stephen Mahony, sister Shirley Birkhimer, former spouse Wayne Hause, nieces, nephew and grand nieces. She is preceded in death by former spouse Victor Menegatti and her beloved friend David Preston.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on July 17, 2021 at The Presbyterian Church of Toms River, 1070 Hooper Avenue. The service will stream live at pctr.org. Donations may be made to the Meals on Wheels of Ocean County or the Presbyterian Church of Toms River.