Cecelia D. DRAPEAU

PORTSMOUTH — Cecelia D. (Drapeau) Kane, 90, of 391 Colonial Drive died Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005, after a brief illness at her home surrounded by her family.She was born in Concord, N.H., on Oct. 12, 1915, the daughter of the late Esdras and Marguerite (Carter) Drapeau.She graduated from Concord High School, Class of 1934, New Hampshire Memorial Hospital, and took graduate courses in obstetrics at Boston Lying IN Hospital.She came to Portsmouth in 1940 to work on the maternity ward at Portsmouth Hospital. She met her husband, Thomas J. Kane, and raised four children. She spent nine wonderful summers as a camp nurse at Camp Bernadette in Wolfeboro.She returned to full-time nursing in the 1960s, retiring in 1987. She became politically active in the 1980s serving on the Board of Registrars until her recent retirement in November.She was elected to the New Hampshire Legislature in 1988 and served for 16 years, becoming a tireless worker on the issue of AIDS. She enjoyed every minute in the Legislature, making wonderful and lasting friendships. She loved serving her constituents and being a part of state government. In her spare time, she loved to knit, play cards, and be with her growing family. Additionally, she kept up her correspondence with her pen pal of more than 50 years, Katherine Niessink.She served on the Board of Betty's Dream, held memberships in the Catholic Daughters of America, Red Cross, Organization of Woman Legislators, Loyal Order of the Moose, Senior Friends, Senior Moments, the Red Hat Society and was a communicant of St. James Parish. She was honored by being chosen as Mother of the Year by WSBK in Boston.She was predeceased by her loving husband, Thomas J. Kane; her son, Thomas D. Kane, and her brothers and sisters.Survivors include her daughters, Maureen C. Jackson and her husband, Edward J., of Portsmouth, Cheryl E. Ramsey and her husband, Robert C., of Rochester, N.Y., and Charlene Kane of Portsmouth; five granddaughters; six great-granddaughters; two great-grandsons, several nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. James Church, Route One, Lafayette Road, Portsmouth, on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held at the Farrell Funeral Home, 684 State St., Portsmouth, today from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.Memorials may be made to AIDS Response of the Seacoast, 1 Junkins Ave., Portsmouth, N.H. 03801.