Pauline R. Kane

AUBURN – Pauline R. Kane, 81, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2025 at Rose Monahan Hospice House, with her family by her side.

Pauline is survived by three children, Christopher Spring and his wife, Bonnie, Charlene Gott and her husband Jim and Dan Spring and his wife Tania; four grandchildren, Delaney, Camden, Matthew and his wife, Ellen, and Brady; stepchildren: Jimmy, Joe, Kathy and Karen. She is predeceased by her husband of 23 years, James H Kane.

Pauline was born in Worcester, to the late Leon and Rita Desrosiers. She loved dancing and proudly shared her point shoes with her daughter in hopes that she would become a ballerina. She graduated from Holy Name High School and raised her family in Leicester. She attended and supported every activity her children participated in, including Cub Scouts where her Den would often catch her swearing! She loved Hot Dog Annie’s and asked Dan to bring her there the past few Mother’s Days.

Pauline grew up on Camp Street in the shadows of the College of the Holy Cross, where she would eventually work for more than two decades in the administration wing of dining services. She loved working at Holy Cross (go figure, her favorite color is purple) and loved watching the Women’s Basketball team play - enough so for her husband Jim and her to become season ticket holders.

During her retirement years, she loved going to Disney, enjoyed gardening, baking, crafts and cross-stitch. After Pauline and Jim moved to Rutland, she became actively involved in the Rutland Senior Center where she appeared waving on parade floats, hosted a Downton Abbey tea and learned to love Wii bowling.

Pauline also knew how to make Christmas memorable. Each year, dressed as Rudolph, she laid out heaps of presents that mimicked mountain ranges leading to the base of the Christmas tree. She would then give stockings to each grandchild that measured about five feet and were filled with more presents. Christmas also coincided with more than 30 tins of her famous homemade “Birdseed.”

She loved watching her son Dan coach high school basketball. She always sat near the back row of the bleachers, close enough to hear what he said during timeouts, but far enough away to avoid being a distraction. Once the final buzzer echoed through the arena, she no longer held back.

“At times, she would complain about the refs. Or a player that was dirty on the other team. ‘That dirty son of a,’” Dan said with a smile. “But for the most part, she’d talk about how well our team did. It was good to have her there.”

Beyond attending high school basketball games, Pauline adored both the Red Sox and WooSox, with the exception of one player. “Anyone but David Ortiz,” Charlene said. “So we gave her Papi stuff all the time.”

Most recently, Pauline has resided at Brookdale Eddy Pond West in Auburn and has enjoyed “horse racing,” live entertainment - especially California Carl, and anyone who would sing Sweet Caroline. Her best memories involve participating in the resident produced plays including the Mock Wedding, Holly’s going away party and the anniversary party. She continued to play Wii bowling, never turned down a dessert and always closed out her night with a piece or two of dark chocolate.

Family and friends will remember and celebrate Pauline’s life with a time of visitation on Sunday, Sept. 7th from 3 to 5 p.m. in Mulhane Home for Funerals, 45 N. Main Street, Millbury. Those who attend are encouraged to wear a touch of purple in honor of Pauline’s favorite color. Her burial will be private.

The family would like to thank Rose Monahan Hospice House at https://vnacare.org/donors  and the Lutheran Rehabilitation Center at https://lutheranrehab.com/  for the incredible care they provided. In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a charitable donation in Pauline’s name, please consider these organizations.

______________________________________________________

If you wish to send flowers to these services, Mulhane Home for Funerals recommends contacting a local florist directly for the best experience and value.

Local Florist:

Floral Boutique 508-754-5637 www.floralboutiquemillbury.com 

Posies N Presents 508-581-4164 www.posiesnpresents.com