Obituary for Barbara Doris Kane (Schaefer)
Barbara D. Kane
Plymouth, MA –Barbara D. (Schaefer) Kane, age 87, of Plymouth, MA, formerly of West Chester,
PA, died on April 23, 2021 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s.
Barbara was born in Jersey City, NJ. She grew up with fun loving aunts, uncles, and cousins
close by, and so her love of family and gatherings began at an early age. She graduated from
Dickinson High School. She worked at the Colgate Company as a Executive Secretary in Jersey
City. Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Dick, in 1955, and soon after began her
greatest job as “Mom.” After her children became adults, Barbara worked as the Office and
Business Manager for a medical practice until retirement. Barbara was THE most organized
person and list maker.
Barbara made life friends wherever she lived (NJ, Baltimore, Louisville, West Chester, and
Plymouth). She and Dick enjoyed getting together with family and friends. Barbara was the
hostess with the mostess - equally ready with china and flowers as she was with paper plates and
napkins; a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Cooking was never her thing, but you would never
know it from the meals she served that are now family recipes. Her Thanksgiving spread was
legendary. Barbara’s also wrote great poems, usually teasing a friend or family member.
Barbara enjoyed walking with girlfriends, reading, and swimming in the ocean. She was quick
to chat with neighbors and was always interested in their families. She was a big fan of the West
Chester Bookmobile. Barbara’s best vacation was with her family on a beach anywhere. She
taught all of her children to “jump over the waves.” She would always arrange a bike ride on the
boardwalk, walks along the water, ice cream outings, a steamed crab dinner, and numerous
rounds of cards and Rummikub.
Barbara was quick to smile, speak her mind, give a big hug, and laugh. Barbara loved to laugh,
often to the point of crying, and very often at herself. Barbara was ALWAYS up for fun – she
would participate in anything. She was constantly thinking about when, where and how to see
her family. She created many magical moments for her grandchildren. Although she and Dick
traveled to many places, her favorites were to and with family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Richard Kane (Dick) of 66 years and her four
children and their spouses: Kathy and Tom Harrison of Plymouth, MA, Steven and Katie Kane
of West Chester, PA, Thomas and Lee Ann Kane of St. Augustine, FL, and Susan and Steve de
la Torre of San Diego, CA. She was Granmom to Sarah, Lauren, Steven, Elizabeth, Lindsay,
Allison, Peter, and their spouses. Sadly, she was unable to spend quality time with her great-
grandchildren: Emma, Katie, Anna, Aivery, Madeline, and Evelyn. She is also survived by a
dear cousin, Claire McAlinden of NJ.
Barbara will be remembered by Dick as the best wife a man could have, by her children as a
Mom who fiercely loved them, and by her grandchildren as a Granmom who thought they were
the best gift she ever received.
Plymouth, MA –Barbara D. (Schaefer) Kane, age 87, of Plymouth, MA, formerly of West Chester,
PA, died on April 23, 2021 after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s.
Barbara was born in Jersey City, NJ. She grew up with fun loving aunts, uncles, and cousins
close by, and so her love of family and gatherings began at an early age. She graduated from
Dickinson High School. She worked at the Colgate Company as a Executive Secretary in Jersey
City. Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Dick, in 1955, and soon after began her
greatest job as “Mom.” After her children became adults, Barbara worked as the Office and
Business Manager for a medical practice until retirement. Barbara was THE most organized
person and list maker.
Barbara made life friends wherever she lived (NJ, Baltimore, Louisville, West Chester, and
Plymouth). She and Dick enjoyed getting together with family and friends. Barbara was the
hostess with the mostess - equally ready with china and flowers as she was with paper plates and
napkins; a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Cooking was never her thing, but you would never
know it from the meals she served that are now family recipes. Her Thanksgiving spread was
legendary. Barbara’s also wrote great poems, usually teasing a friend or family member.
Barbara enjoyed walking with girlfriends, reading, and swimming in the ocean. She was quick
to chat with neighbors and was always interested in their families. She was a big fan of the West
Chester Bookmobile. Barbara’s best vacation was with her family on a beach anywhere. She
taught all of her children to “jump over the waves.” She would always arrange a bike ride on the
boardwalk, walks along the water, ice cream outings, a steamed crab dinner, and numerous
rounds of cards and Rummikub.
Barbara was quick to smile, speak her mind, give a big hug, and laugh. Barbara loved to laugh,
often to the point of crying, and very often at herself. Barbara was ALWAYS up for fun – she
would participate in anything. She was constantly thinking about when, where and how to see
her family. She created many magical moments for her grandchildren. Although she and Dick
traveled to many places, her favorites were to and with family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Richard Kane (Dick) of 66 years and her four
children and their spouses: Kathy and Tom Harrison of Plymouth, MA, Steven and Katie Kane
of West Chester, PA, Thomas and Lee Ann Kane of St. Augustine, FL, and Susan and Steve de
la Torre of San Diego, CA. She was Granmom to Sarah, Lauren, Steven, Elizabeth, Lindsay,
Allison, Peter, and their spouses. Sadly, she was unable to spend quality time with her great-
grandchildren: Emma, Katie, Anna, Aivery, Madeline, and Evelyn. She is also survived by a
dear cousin, Claire McAlinden of NJ.
Barbara will be remembered by Dick as the best wife a man could have, by her children as a
Mom who fiercely loved them, and by her grandchildren as a Granmom who thought they were
the best gift she ever received.