Nancy Kane Of East Hampton Dies June 28

Nancy Kane

Nancy Kane of East Hampton, formerly of the Springs, died at home on Thursday, June 28, two months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Born on December 5, 1933, to Lysle K. Butler and Dorothy Morgan Butler, she grew up in Oberlin, Ohio, where her father was athletic director of Oberlin College and both her parents were alumni. Ms. Kane also attended Oberlin and moved to Sayville in 1955, where she took a teaching position. She met married George “Jerry” Kane of Sayville in 1959.

In Sayville, she raised children, obtained graduate degrees, and supported her husband’s teaching and building careers. She also taught in the Sayville School District, then as an adjunct professor at Dowling College, and finally as a middle school reading teacher for the Sachem School District.

In 1988, the Kanes moved to the Springs, where Ms. Kane dedicated much time to supporting and working for local organizations. She served the Springs Community Presbyterian Church in many roles. She was an active member of the Accabonac Protection Committee and the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society, leading more than 100 hikes in the community right up until this year. She served on the East Hampton Town Planning Board and most recently worked for the Community Preservation Fund. In all of her work for all of the various groups, she was known for researching to get accurate information and working toward compromise to get things done. In any disagreement, whether at a public forum, or with family at the dinner table, participants would look to her as a voice of compassion and reason, her family said.

As Ms. Kane traveled through life, including as she approached death, her goal was one of service, survivors said. She cared deeply about her family, her community, and the environment. She always looked for the best in others and truly “enjoyed the ride,” survivors said. She loved travel, a great book, a hike in the outdoors, good conversation, a lovely meal, and any new adventure.

Besides her husband Jerry, she is survived by a daughter, Jenny Day, and her husband, Tom, of Colorado; two sons, Larry Kane and his wife, Luisa, of East Hampton, and Peter Kane and his wife, Kelly, of San Diego; and six grandchildren, Morgan and Jack Day, Stephen, Madeline, and Charlotte Kane, and Ava Kane.

Services and interment were held on Monday, July 2, at Green River Cemetery in the Springs.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Springs Community Presbyterian Church, 5 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton, NY 11937 or to an organization of the donor’s choice.