Susan Kane

Susan Vachout Kane, 82, of Westborough and formerly Hopkinton, passed away on Feb. 19, 2025, at Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center in Worcester. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Jane (Fitzpatrick) and William J. Vachout and grew up in Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania. She participated in Girl Scouts for many years and played the xylophone in the marching band.

Susan earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Thiel College in Greenville, Pennsylvania, and then spent time backpacking around Europe. She met Charles S. “Charlie” Kane while he was running the rental department at Eastern Mountain Sports. Susan went in to rent some outdoor equipment, and the rest was history! They were married July 11, 1970, and moved to Hopkinton. Together they raised a family and spent many hours hiking and camping, often in the summers with her sister Nancy and family. Charlie passed away in 2006.

Susan was a physical therapist, eventually becoming the director of physical therapy at Deaconess Waltham Hospital. She then worked as a physical therapist with Early Intervention in Waltham. Even after retirement, Susan continued to pursue greater knowledge in her field. She read everything she could, taught and attended many workshops, and practiced a wide variety of healing arts, including energy medicine. She also was a certified Zentangle teacher.

Nature always was a sacred place for Susan. Whenever she needed to reconnect with God or listen to her heart, she would head out for walks along the water or in the woods. Cape Cod and Camp Calumet in Lake Ossipee, New Hampshire, were two of her most beloved spots in the world. She filled her home with geodes, semi-precious stones, crystals and other artwork that reflects light.

In her later years, Susan was a valued community member at The Willows at Westborough, where she served on the Library Committee and was a member of the multi-faith scripture study group, led by her good friend Paula. Even as her own health issues grew more serious, she never stopped learning and offering wisdom to others.

Susan is survived by her son, Jeff L. Kane and wife Katie Yahns of Sherrill, New York, as well as nephews Michael Haley and Clayton Haley. She is predeceased by her husband, Charlie, a sister, Nancy Golly, and her daughter, Lisa S. Kane.

A service of resurrection will be held on Saturday, Feb. 22, at noon at Christ Lutheran Church in Natick. Interment will be made in the spring in the memorial garden at Camp Calumet. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Camp Calumet or the National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.

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