The Smith Family December Curse has now carried over to the Kane side, as Colleen’s mom Jean passed away on December 30. Add this to my uncle Greg last year, my mom Karen in 2017, my grandfather Donald in 2013 and my grandmother Helen in 2007. January may be cold, but it’s nice to be done with another December.

Grandma Jean had Huntington’s disease, a genetic degenerative neurological disorder that she fought valiantly for many years. Unfortunately, there is no cure and her symptoms eventually forced her out of the house where Colleen grew up in the Midway area of Saint Paul. She moved to assisted care living last summer and had a nice corner room with a view at Sunrise of Roseville.

Jean was a Christmas Eve baby, so we always celebrated her birthday along with the Kane Christmas on the 24th. This year we were fortunate to have Colleen’s brother Dan pick up Jean from Sunrise and bring her over to his house in Oakdale for dinner and cake. She had caught a bit of the flu earlier in the month, but was doing better on her birthday. Thankfully, Colleen and Dan both got to talk to her on the phone earlier on the day she passed, which by all signs was peaceful and without pain.

Thank you to everyone at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home, Saint Columba Catholic Church and Oakland Cemetery for your help in arranging the events of the last two days. Even though funerals are difficult emotionally, it was wonderful to see the outpouring of love and support from family and friends – many of whom we only see at events like this.

❤️

Obituary from Mueller-Bies and photo gallery below.

Jean Carol Kane. Age 75, of St. Paul. Beloved Mom and Grandma Passed away December 30, 2019, after battling Huntington’s Disease for six years. Preceded in death by loving husband, James T. Kane; and parents, Francis and Esther Reith. Survived by children, Colleen (David) Kingsbury and Daniel (Alicia) Kane; grandchildren, Sasha and Marisa; siblings, Mary Ann (William) Pozarski and Frank (Jean) Reith; other family and many dear friends and neighbors. Jean loved talking with her friends and family, crossword puzzles, and watching Channel 2. She was loved so much and will be dearly missed. Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Monday, January 6 at THE CHURCH OF ST. COLUMBA, 1327 Lafond Ave, St. Paul. Interment Oakland Cemetery. Visitation 1-4 PM Sunday at MUELLER-BIES FUNERAL HOME-ROSEVILLE, 2130 N Dale St at Co Rd B, and at the church from 10-11 AM Monday. MUELLER-BIES 651-487-2550
Published in Pioneer Press from Jan. 3 to Jan. 5, 2020