Obituary: Joan G. Kane, Faculty 1977-1995

Joan Kane, age 96, passed away peacefully at her residence in Lafayette on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Joan was born on December 24, 1928, in Dequeen, Arkansas, to Theodora and Ronald George. The family moved to Zwolle, Louisiana, and from there to Benavides, Texas, where Joan’s father was employed in the oil business. Joan spent many summers with her aunt “Sister” and Uncle “2D”, in Corpus Christi and on their ranch, the 2D, in Bandera. She and her lifelong friend, Jeanne Adams, would horseback ride all over Bandera and dance the night away at Mansfield Park.

In 1943, Joan moved with her aunt and uncle to Palestine, Texas, where she graduated from high school. She continued her education at the Universities of Texas and Alabama. In 1960, Joan moved with her children to Nacogdoches, Texas, where she was awarded a debate scholarship to Stephen F. Austin University and completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Speech.

Joan achieved a very successful career while managing the responsibilities of motherhood. After college, the family moved to San Antonio where she was employed by the Northeast Independent School District as a Speech Therapist and as an Instructor of Speech at San Antonio College. In 1967, Joan was offered an Assistant Professorship with the Department of Teacher Education/Special Education at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette. During her initial tenure, she worked with an evaluation team that included a psychologist, a social worker and an educational consultant who tested students in many surrounding parish school systems. She was prolific with her research and published many papers. While at USL, Joan took a sabbatical to work as a Liaison/Speech Pathology Consultant with the Louisiana Department of Education, Special Education Division. She belonged to numerous professional organizations.

Joan loved people and liked having them around; age, gender and lifestyle preferences were irrelevant to her. She never met a stranger. She appreciated friends who exchanged engaging stories, lived remarkable lives, and possessed a zest for life. It was once remarked that she would defend any friend as “fiercely as a lioness”. She was a marvelous cook and hostess and filled her home with lively, interesting people.

Joan traveled extensively around the world, starting shortly after World War II. As a teenager, she bicycled through much of northeastern Europe with a group of students. Joan made regular trips to her favorite destinations in England, the Rhine Valley and coastal Spain. There were other trips to South America, the Middle East, South Africa and the Far East. Her brother Ronny and other friends and family frequently accompanied her. Her children fondly tell hilarious stories about their frequent trips to Mexico when they were younger. Her globetrotting could prompt a friendly jibe or two. Arriving at the baggage pickup area of Le Bourget airport more than 50 years ago, she ran into an old friend quite by chance. “Joan Kane” he exclaimed, “what are you doing here? Oh, I know what happened. Honey, you were making your way to Paris, Texas, and you, my dear, wound up in Paris, France!”

Joan was known for her generosity. She rented houses in cooler regions during summers to avoid Lafayette’s heat and invited others to join her. Says one of her longtime friends, “I have been to some interesting places all over the world that I would never even have considered if Joan hadn’t been generous enough to invite me.” Joan was a master Mahjong player and enjoyed hosting others to play through the afternoons at her home. She was also active with Lafayette Little Theatre and Eavesdrop Theater during their heyday in Lafayette. A friend’s housekeeper once commented, “Ms. Joan, she don’t punish herself any.” Hers was truly a life well lived!

Joan is preceded in death by her parents, her aunt “Sister” and Uncle “2D”, her son George Kane and her brother Dr. Ronny George. Survivors include her son Bryan Kane (Sue), Metairie, and daughter Kathy Kane, Lafayette; two grandsons, Michael Kane (Megan) and Chris Kane (Daisy), of New Orleans and seven great grandchildren – Aiden, Taylor, Andrew, Nicolas, Christian, Carolina and Camila.

Thanks to Charlene Hamilton, UL Human Resources, for providing Joan’s employment information.

Hired:  02/04/1977 – Instructor – Cyro Protection of Proteins

08/31/1978 – Assistant Professor – Teacher Education Curriculum & Instruction

01/05/1996 – Retired

Peace, Ed Dugas