Binah C. Kane

BINAH CATHERINE KANE (nee Phillips) was born on January 22, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late Sadie C. Bates and Dovie S. Phillips. She departed this life on July 7, 2021, at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. A voracious reader from her youth, Binah was educated in Baltimore City’s Public Schools. She graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1957 (having skipped seventh grade), and began classes at then Morgan State College, with aspirations of becoming a teacher. She interrupted her education to begin work at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, and later at the Social Security Administration. Returning to work after the birth of her children, in 1971, Binah began a thirty-three-year stint as an administrator at Coppin State University, including several years in the Business and Procurement offices. During that long and distinguished career, “Miss Kane” as she was known to all, mentored countless students who crossed her path. Binah completed her own Bachelor of Science degree, at then Coppin State College, in 1979. In 1960, Binah met the love of her life when childhood best friend Lorraine Annette Burton (nee Holley) introduced her Edward N. Kane. They were married on May 11, 1963, in Baltimore, MD. From this union were born Edward, Jr. and Erika. Military service took the young couple to Philadelphia, PA and, then to Panama, before they resettled in Baltimore in 1970. Binah accepted Christ at an early age and began her spiritual journey at the Orchard Street Methodist Church. As a teenager, Binah joined Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church, where she worshipped for several years with her mother, stepfather York Morton, and sister Ruth. At Mt. Olive, under the leadership of the late Bishop Leo K. Ceasar, Binah sang in the Youth Choir, and several small ensembles. In 1980, Binah’s spiritual path led her to New Psalmist Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Walter Scott Thomas. Joined at New Psalmist by her family, Binah reconnected with her “teaching” calling, and taught Sunday School for many years. She was a faithful member of the Gray’s Memorial Chorus and served as Vice President of Chancel Choir. Binah help to anchor New Psalmist’s first organized Praise Team. As a member of New Psalmist’s Willing Workers Ministry, Binah connected to generations of New Psalmist families in some of their most difficult times through cards and encouragements. Binah enjoyed reading and word games, a competitive game of Pinochle (trash talking included), shopping (particularly to outfit her grandchildren) and travel. Her cooking and entertaining remain legendary among family and friends. Eighteen years of dialysis slowed her, but could not extinguish her spirit, as witnessed by the host of family, friends, fellow patients, technicians and caretakers who received her daily wisdom, encouragement, texts, calls, and emojis. Binah leaves to mourn her husband of fifty-eight years, Edward N. Kane, Sr.; son and daughter, Edward N. Kane, Jr. (Yvette) and Erika Kane-Lyons (Mike); grandchildren, Edward, Katherine, Samuel, Chloe, Michael, and Evan; sister, Ruth Thomas; daughter-in-law, Marjorie; adopted children and grandchildren, Elizabeth Nightingale, Julian Purnell, Alexandria Purnell; godchildren, Anthony Fields, Natalie Mello, Danielle Womack-Henry, Twyla Womack-Turner, and Destiny Thomas; devoted friends, Lorraine Annette Burton, Willie and Rev. Diana Fields; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Binah C. Kane

January 22, 1940 - July 7, 2021