Shirley Jean Sayre Kane

Shirley Jean Sayre Kane passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at her home in Williamsburg, VA after a long illness.  Born in Detroit, Michigan, on September 5, 1925, Jean was the daughter of the late Margaret Cross Stewart Sayre, father Judson Shirley Sayre and step-mother Louise Weller Sayre.  She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio in 1949 with a double major in business administration and home economics and also belonged to Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Century Club (a giving club to commemorate the University’s first 100 years).  She enjoyed the good life in Williamsburg since 1981.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Dorothy Nancy Sayre Foerster; and her husband of 66 years, Harry Mitchell Kane, also of Williamsburg.  She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Nancy Sayre Kane, of Strongsville, Ohio.  She is survived by her nieces, Amy Foerster MacConnell of Redondo Beach, California, and Kathleen Constantino (William) of Strongsville, Ohio; and her nieces ‘children, Kelly Margaret Sayre MacConnell, William A. Constantino and Nicole Dorocak (Michael) of Strongsville, Ohio.  Jean also leaves two cousins, Tom Sayre (Nancy) of Poquoson, Virginia, and Dorothy Sayre (the late Curtis) of Williamsburg; and her devoted friend, Kathy Hardison of Newport News, Virginia.  She is also survived by many long-time friends who supported her the past several years, including her selfless, devoted aids and the staff from Bayada Home Health Care and Agape Home Care and dear friends at The Whaling Company.

Before Landing in Williamsburg, Jean and Harry lived in many locations across the U.S. where he was a pioneer (along with Jean’s father) in the automatic washing machine industry.  Their professional pursuits also took them to living in Japan which they enjoyed very much.  Jean was very curious about everything in general (genealogy, in particular), and she enjoyed being a hostess everyplace they lived.

A life-long member of the Republican Party, she was a member of the James City County Republican Women.  She was also a member of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants; National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution; the Junior League; Kingsmill Women’s Social Club; and Antique Adventures.  A member of the Kingsmill Women’s Golf Association, Jean enjoyed competitive matches and tournaments.  She was an avid duplicate bridge player and especially liked to host her competition in her home.  Jean was passionate about tracking the stock market and tackling the New York Times crossword puzzle daily.  She was a member of the Kingsmill Community Chapel.

Jean would like you to know that her work here is done.  She received a call, sort of an offer you can’t refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning.  While she will miss her friends here on earth, this assignment comes with an irresistible signing bonus: an anxiously reunion with family and friends she has not seen in quite some time.

A celebration of life will be held from 12:00 to 1:00pm on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Bucktrout Funeral Home, 4124 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, Virginia 23188, with a graveside beginning at 1:00pm at Williamsburg Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be offered at bucktroutfuneralhome.net.