Mary Jane Kane

Obituary of Mary Jane Kane

Mary Jane Kane, 87, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2025, with her family by her side. 

Rosary: 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at St. Andrew Catholic Church. 

Mass of Christian Burial:  1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at St. Andrew Catholic Church. 

Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park. 

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the TEXAS RETIRED TEACHERS FOUNDATION (trtf.org) 313 East 12th St. Suite 220 Austin, Texas 78701         1-800-880-1650

Mary Jane was born in West, Texas — best known for its Czech heritage — on May 1, 1937. She grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, attended J.P. Elder Middle School, and graduated from Northside High School. She then went on to study at TCU and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a teaching certificate. She graduated with honors and was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority. 

Mary Jane was proud of her Czech heritage and was a longstanding member of the SPJST (Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas) Lodge 92. From an early age, Mary Jane was also an accomplished athlete. She was a member of SOKOL (Czech for “falcon”) Gymnastics for many years and won several competitions.

Mary Jane retired from teaching in 1994 from the Fort Worth ISD, earning many awards and accolades. Her legacy lives on through all her former students and their families she mentored through the years, many of whom she stayed in touch with long after she retired. 

Her foremost passion, however, was supporting her family. “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” She taught us something every day — literally up to her very last breath. Her smile was infectious. There was always a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes, and she never lost her sense of humor and her personal style. She was extremely generous and was willing to help anyone in need. She also had a big heart for any little furry creature (cats, dogs, etc.) who needed her help.

As a lifelong member of St. Andrews Catholic Church, Mary Jane embraced her strong faith in God. She truly earned her wings long before her passing. She is preceded in death by her first husband Joseph H. Dederichs, III; her parents Eleanor Rose and Alfred Albin Svacek; her daughter Kathryn Ann Dederichs; and most recently, her husband Joseph C. Kane.

She is survived by her children, Joseph H. Dederichs IV and Mary M. Dederichs; her daughter-in-law, Jenee M. Dederichs; and her grandson, Joseph H. Dederichs V.