Barbara Mary Kane Herwick

Barbara Mary Kane Herwick — a mother, sister, mentor and teacher who quietly transformed the lives of countless people — passed away peacefully on Thursday at the age of 69.

Barbara was born in Ashland Hospital on May 16, 1952, one of 15 children born to James R. and Mary A. Kane (Noon) of Centralia.

She graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School in 1970, and was among the first women to attend La Salle University in Philadelphia as a member of that school's inaugural coeducational class.

In June 1975, she married Edgar B. Herwick II of Frackville with whom she had four children: Jessica Sara Herwick of (Somerville, MA), Edgar B. Herwick III (Somerville, MA), Jared Baney Herwick (Fredericksburg, VA), and Megan Kane Long (Glenn Allen, VA).

The Herwick family moved from Frackville to Fredericksburg, VA in 1998.

Barbara was a lifelong educator. She began her career teaching language arts in elementary and high schools throughout the coal region. In 1991, she opened her own, in-home preschool with a mission of inclusion. In classrooms, after-school programs, and summer camps in PA and VA, she dedicated immeasurable energy to children of special needs, whom she often referred to as "her people" and "the spiritually superior." She also served as a tutor, mentor and counselor to numerous young people — instilling in them a lifelong love of learning, and inspiring many to become educators themselves.

An exceptional singer and music arranger, Barbara directed a church choir heard during Saturday evening Mass at St. Joseph's in Frackville throughout the 1980s and 90s.

In 2012, she realized her longtime dream of visiting Ireland, the country from which her ancestors emigrated, with her own family.

She was a lover of the written word and of movies, television and theater. She found strength and solace in family, prayer, and the ocean. She could charm a room of any size — and had a knack for making friends feel like they were family and strangers feel like they were old friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother William Kane, brother Jerry Kane and his wife Ginger, and parents-in-law Edgar B. "Doc" and LaRue Grace "GiGi" Herwick . She is survived by her husband, four adult children and son-in-law Todd Long; 12 siblings and their spouses: James R. and Sue Kane, Sister Maureen St. Anne, IHM, Sister Anne Kane, M.SC , Therese Frances and Paul Caruso, Rita and Jerry Becoski, Eileen Adam, Paula and Tom Ryan, Michael and Heidi Kane, Sara Kane, Joe and Janelle Kane, Sheila and Bill Klementovich, and Maureen and Dan Orlando; dozens of beloved cousins, nieces and nephews; and aunts Theresa Kane and Rosemarie Noon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 1 ^st at 11:30 a.m. from Mother Cabrini Catholic Church, Shamokin with Rev. Martin Kobos, pastor, as the celebrant.

Friends are invited to her viewing at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home in Frackville on Wednesday, June 30, from 6-8pm.

Flowers can be sent to the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, 501 Washington Street, Frackville, PA, 17931.

Sign the guestbook, leave personal condolences and for further information please visit www.thomasmsullivanfuneralhome.com

Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Frackville is in charge of the arrangements.