Barbara Ellen Kane Jeffery

PORTLAND-Barbara Ellen Kane Jeffery, 87, of Portland, died Saturday February 4, 2012 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Portland a daughter of Martin J. and Barbara J. Mulkern Kane. She attended parochial school and graduated salutatorian of Cathedral High School in 1942. Following high school, Barbara worked briefly at the navy yard in Portland. She later worked for Sealtest Ice Cream. She worked for Attorney Will Hay as a legal secretary prior to her marriage. She married Frederick T Jeffery, Jr. on August 27, 1949 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Soon after her marriage, she stopped working as a legal secretary to raise a family. Her husband said "She was a wonderful wife and mother to our eight children." Her children have fond memories of her sewing, knitting, and baking for them as well as attending their many school activities. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed her visits to Ireland, the birthplace of her parents. She attended her husbands World War II Marine Corp reunions throughout the United States. As the children grew up Barbara returned to the work force first at Porteous Department Store and later as the credit manager for Farrah Brown Auto Parts Store. Following the merger, she later retired from Steego Auto Parts. Barbara was a longtime communicant of St. Patrick's Church and was a former member of the Delta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She was active in the community as a Cub Scout Den Mother and served as an officer with the PTA. Summers were enjoyed with her family at their camp on Highland Lake. She was predeceased by a brother, John Kane and a son John Michael. Survivors include her beloved husband of 62 years, of Portland; three daughters, Barbara McHarg and her husband Don of Topsham, Ann Marie Jeffery-Corbett and her husband Don of Old Orchard Beach, Mary Verville and her husband Michael of Portland; five sons, Frederick M. Jeffery of Portland, Brian Jeffery and his wife Dorris of Oklahoma City, OK, Peter Jeffery of Portland, Paul Jeffery of Portland, Stephen Jeffery and his wife Helen of South Portland; two sisters, Sally Bonnvie and her husband William of Falmouth, Anne Black and her husband Phillip of Bath; three brothers, Martin Kane and his wife Jackie of Denver, CO, Mark Kane and his wife Wanda of Old Orchard and Florida, Robert Kane and his wife Daisy of Sunnyvale, CA; 11 grandchildren, Shannon McHarg and her husband Kevin Hanscom of Brunswick, Laura McHarg of Reno, NV, Patrick, Anthony and Micary Verville all of Portland, Christopher and Berlian Jeffery of Oklahoma City, OK, Brendan, Sean, Kateri and Beau Jeffery of So. Portland; Three great grandchildren, Julian McHarg-Goepner of Reno, NV, Evelyn and Caraline Hanscom of Brunswick. She is also survived by many neices and nephews. Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Prayers will be recited 10:15 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home followed by a 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick's Church, 1342 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. Those desiring may make donations to: Catherine McAuley High School, 631 Stevens Ave., Portland, Maine 04103.Online condolences may be expressed below.