Diane L. (Hedenburg) Kane

STURBRIDGE - Diane L. Kane passed away on Friday, June 17, 2016 at the age of 59 after a difficult struggle with melanoma. Diane was born to Janette and Ken Hedenburg on October 19, 1956 in Worcester, where she lived throughout her childhood, then moving to Holden in middle school with her family and younger sisters, Pam and Kim.



On a fateful Valentine’s Day Eve, she met fun-loving Tom Kane at a “small neighborhood café” called the Horseshoe Pub after his plane was delayed in a snowstorm. They reconnected the following week and after an enchanting courtship, they married the next summer, July 22, 1989. Over the next few years, they welcomed two beautiful daughters, Alison Lauren and Alexandra Janette.



Diane was a dedicated teacher for 38 years, finding new and innovative ways to engage the children of West Boylston and Brookfield. She was always focused on making sure each child had a positive experience in the classroom, especially those who had learning challenges or difficult lives at home.



In the hours she wasn’t outlining new lesson plans, Diane enjoyed time in her beautiful garden in Sturbridge, reading on the deck or discovering new recipes to share. When the holidays drew near, family celebrations arrived on the calendar, or Tom invited friends over for football games in ManTown, she meticulously tidied the house and developed a lovely spread for company. Everyone was always welcomed to the Kane home by Diane with a warm smile and a tasty dish. She was close to her sisters and father, especially after her mother passed away in 1994. As a firm believer in tradition, she taught Alison and Alexandra the Hedenburg Heritage menu, could retell stories from her childhood, and could recite numerous generations of Scottish and Swedish genealogy.



It is comforting to know Diane will be welcomed into Heaven by her mother, Janette and father-in-law, Ray Kane. Her infectious laugh will be missed by her loving husband, Tom; vivacious daughters, Alison and Alexandra; adoring father, Ken; effervescent sisters, Pam and Kim; doting mother-in-law, Jean; beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law; dear nephews and nieces; and a multitude of amazing, supportive neighbors, friends, teaching colleagues, and students.



A funeral will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 10am at Wesley United Methodist Church at 114 Main Street, Worcester, followed by a collation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Melanoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or the “Ramble” Children’s Garden at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, P.O. Box 598, Boylston, MA 01505.



To share a memory or leave an online condolences please visit our “Guest Book” here on our page.



STURBRIDGE - Diane L. Kane passed away on Friday, June 17, 2016 at the age of 59 after a difficult struggle with melanoma. Diane was born to Janette and Ken Hedenburg on October 19, 1956 in Worcester, where she lived throughout her childhood, then moving to Holden in middle school with her family and younger sisters, Pam and Kim.   On a fateful Valentine’s Day Eve, she met fun-loving Tom Kane at a “small neighborhood café” called the Horseshoe Pub after his plane was delayed in a snowstorm. They reconnected the following week and after an enchanting courtship, they married the next summer, July 22, 1989. Over the next few years, they welcomed two beautiful daughters, Alison Lauren and Alexandra Janette. Diane was a dedicated teacher for 38 years, finding new and innovative ways to engage the children of West Boylston and Brookfield. She was always focused on making sure each child had a positive experience in the classroom, especially those who had learning challenges or difficult lives at home. In the hours she wasn’t outlining new lesson plans, Diane enjoyed time in her beautiful garden in Sturbridge, reading on the deck or discovering new recipes to share. When the holidays drew near, family celebrations arrived on the calendar, or Tom invited friends over for football games in ManTown, she meticulously tidied the house and developed a lovely spread for company. Everyone was always welcomed to the Kane home by Diane with a warm smile and a tasty dish. She was close to her sisters and father, especially after her mother passed away in 1994. As a firm believer in tradition, she taught Alison and Alexandra the Hedenburg Heritage menu, could retell stories from her childhood, and could recite numerous generations of Scottish and Swedish genealogy. It is comforting to know Diane will be welcomed into Heaven by her mother, Janette and father-in-law, Ray Kane. Her infectious laugh will be missed by her loving husband, Tom; vivacious daughters, Alison and Alexandra; adoring father, Ken; effervescent sisters, Pam and Kim; doting mother-in-law, Jean; beloved sisters- and brothers-in-law; dear nephews and nieces; and a multitude of amazing, supportive neighbors, friends, teaching colleagues, and students. A funeral will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 10am at Wesley United Methodist Church at 114 Main Street, Worcester, followed by a collation. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Melanoma Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or the “Ramble” Children’s Garden at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, P.O. Box 598, Boylston, MA 01505. To share a memory or leave an online condolences please visit our “Guest Book” here on our page.