From Tragedy, Light Emerges
During the 26 years of Jennifer Kane's life, she accomplished a great deal as a CPA and enjoyed a full life with her family, friends and community, but it's what happened afterwards that has made an even greater impact on the world.
Jennifer Lynn Kane ’97 VSB grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and went on to attend Villanova University, graduating with a degree in Accounting. While at Villanova, she was a Dean’s List student, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and active in community service.
Jennifer’s academic talents were also recognized outside of the business school, as Professor of English Robert E. Wilkinson wrote following her senior year, “Jen’s dependability, her scholarship, and most of all her well-prepared responses to any questions asked of her made her a joy to teach.”
Following graduation, Jennifer passed the CPA exam and went to work for Marsh McLennan on the 100th floor of the World Trade Center. According to the website for the Jennifer Kane Scholarship & Charitable Trust, most days Jennifer could look out the windows of her north tower office and see Central Park stretching beyond midtown Manhattan’s skyline. Some days, the view would simply be lost in the clouds.
For five years, Jennifer was a prized employee for Marsh McLennan: a passionate worker who still found time to help a coworker with their assignments, a mentor to all new employees and big sister to many more. Her professional accomplishments and skills were outshined only by the deep relationships she formed with her colleagues.
Jennifer always thought of others first, both professionally and personally. Despite the long hours at Marsh McLennan, Jennifer remained devoted to her family and made a point to talk to them every Sunday.
And then came September 11th, 2001. Jennifer was one of 15 Villanovans lost on that tragic day.
Jennifer has been remembered by family, friends, colleagues and neighbors for her beautiful smile, and as someone who excelled academically, athletically, professionally and socially. Her love of family and friends, her humor, and her belief in the importance of traditional values, as well as her strong academic and professional work ethic, were evident in Jennifer’s personality, character and grace.
A family member remarked upon her ability to light up all the lives she touched: “Character, inner beauty, love, grace, friendliness, compassion, kindness – all these are outpourings of something greater than ourselves – A reflection of the One who is The Light of the World.”
Since Jennifer’s passing, her family is committed to keeping her memory alive and ensuring that the events of September 11th are never forgotten. The Jennifer Kane Scholarship & Charitable Trust, which has raised more than $1.3M since 2001, supports causes near to Jennifer’s heart, including Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Homes for Our Troops, School on Wheels of Mass and Old Colony YMCA Camp Clark.
The Kane family also established the Jennifer L. Kane Endowed University Scholarship at Villanova University, awarded to accomplished students who also possess the qualities Jennifer exemplified that made her a person others cherished knowing. Through this scholarship, Jennifer’s legacy will continue in perpetuity and other young women will be able to pursue the dream of a Villanova education and reach their full potential for a bright future.
For more on Jennifer’s story, visit https://jenniferlynnkane.com/
Jennifer Lynn Kane ’97 VSB
“Character, inner beauty, love, grace, friendliness, compassion, kindness – all these are outpourings of something greater than ourselves – A reflection of the One who is The Light of the World.”