On March 28, 1928, Evelyn Edith Hannigan was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, the oldest of 8 children.
Evelyn married her high school sweetheart and love of her life Bill Kane, and celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary 2 years prior to her “hon’s” passing.
Evelyn was a devoted and supportive military wife throughout Bill’s 35 year U.S. Navy career, managing her home and family during his many deployments and transfers. She was on board creating a new home anchored in love at each and every duty station.
After Bill retired, many new adventures began. Some of her fondest memories included traveling to all states, ending with a Hawaiian cruise for their 50th anniversary.
Their Barth motorhome became their second home as they visited family and friends all over the country.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her father and mother, Carl and Ruth Hannigan, daughter Pamela Kane, son William Robert Kane, Jr., and husband Cdr. William Robert Kane.
Evelyn is survived by her children Diana Barnes, Paula Brown, Barbara Jobo (Bill), Deborah Moroy (Don), Patricia Preacher (Scott) and son, Daniel Kane (Mary). She is also survived by her sister Kay Bergeron and brothers Richard Hannigan (June) and Jimmy Hannigan, her grand-great-and great-great children and many other family and friends.
Last year, more than 90 family members gathered from far and wide to honor her long life by celebrating her 90th birthday together.
Evelyn leaves a legacy of love for many generations to come. As the matriarch of the Kane family, she will be remembered as a kind, loving wife, mother to her 8 children, grandmother to her fifteen grandchildren, great grandmother to her “forty-plus” great-grand children, and great-great grandmother to her one great-great grandchild.
The love that our mother and father shared was a love to be admired. We imagine that now she is in heaven having a dance with our Dad and our Savior. She will be truly missed and forever loved.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2019 from 10:00 – 10:45 am at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Ave., Jacksonville, Florida with Funeral services to follow at 11:00 am. Burial service will be Monday, June 17, 2019, 11:00 am at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida.
If you wish, in lieu of flowers, donations in Evelyn’s memory can be made to: The National Military Spouse Scholarship Fund (National Military Family Association, 3601 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 425, Alexandria, VA 22304) or to a charity of your choice or by a random act of kindness.
