MAXWELL, Kathleen Margaret (Kane) Of Wellesley Hills, MA. Born on July 23, 1918 and died on May 31, 2016 at the age of 97. Beloved wife of Francis W. Maxwell. Mother of seven: James (Mary Flaherty), Daniel (Betty Coggins), Thomas (Lynn Hamlin), Kathleen (Paul Sullam), Josephine Grahn (Allen), Carroll (Buzz Kuhns), Jack (Dana Morel); grandmother of 18 and great grandmother of 14. Born in Minot, ND, one of five children of Mary Elizabeth ("Bessie") Carroll and Charles Kane. Received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Dakota, and a Masters in Physics from Smith College.
Kathleen was a "greatest generation" member in the best sense. She had a lifelong love of intellectual challenges—including her role in the Manhattan project, where she was a member of the lab group in New Jersey that was tasked with refining the process of separating uranium isotopes to create the atomic bomb. Aside from her roles as wife and mother, Kathleen's responsibilities and joys ranged from Physics instructor at Smith, math tutor, and CFO at Hub Foundation, as well as one of the finest bread and pie bakers around. She enjoyed woodworking, gardening, and spending time in her cabin in Maine, where she loved swimming, hiking, berry picking, and baking in her wood-fired stove for family and friends.
All are invited to attend visiting hours at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16), Wellesley, from 5 pm until 8 pm on Friday, June 3, 2016, and a Funeral Mass on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at 10 am at St. Paul's Church in Wellesley. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to an environmental charity of choice