Marilyn E. Kane

Marilyn E. Kane, 78, of Butler, PA passed away early Friday morning at Butler Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.

Born May 7, 1941 in Lyndora, she was the daughter of the late James and Anna (Supko) Holot.

Marilyn was married May 6, 1961 to Paul D. Kane, Sr., also of Lyndora.

A 1959 graduate of Butler High School, Marilyn graduated in 1960 from the Earl Wheeler School of Modeling in Pittsburgh. She was certified to teach modeling through the former World Modeling Association of New York City, and received casting training in New York City and Los Angeles. For 48 years, Marilyn was the owner and Executive Director of the Marilyn E. Kane Finishing and Modeling School and Agency, which she opened in Butler in 1970. She taught personal improvement, modeling, and acting for students ages 3 to adult. She trained, cast, and booked numerous individuals who went on to have roles in soap operas, movies, local, regional, and national TV commercials, national print and promotional work, and designer fashion shows, as well as model in London, Paris and Nice (France), New York City and other major cities within the U.S.

Marilyn was well known as producer and executive director of the Miss Butler County USA and Miss Butler County Teen USA pageants of the Miss USA/Universe system. She was instrumental in producing three titleholders of the International Fashion Model Award, a Junior International Fashion Model Award, plus numerous winners in modeling and pageantry on the national and international level. She also was the founder and executive producer/director of the Cameo Model USA and Butler County Kids pageants. Throughout her career she organized and served as Fashion Show Coordinator for numerous events benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, American Cancer Society, and the Easter Seals Society.

Marilyn was very accomplished in her field and earned well deserved recognition for her work. A Lifetime Member of the former World Modeling Association, she received numerous WMA Director of the Year Awards, and was selected for inclusion in numerous Who’s Who industry publications over the years, including the 16th edition of Who’s Who in the World and several editions of Who’s Who in American Women. She was a recipient of the 1991-1992 International Woman of the Year Award from the International Biographical Center, Cambridge, England in recognition of her services to the modelling and show business industries. She also was an award-winning head-shot and fashion model photographer.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and several beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Surviving are her husband, Paul D. Kane of Butler; two daughters, Col Kris Kane, USAF (Ret.) of Navarre, FL and Marilyn E. Kane of Butler; her son Paul D. (Tammy) Kane, Jr. of Bethel Park; a granddaughter, Alyssa M. Kane of Bethel Park; a brother James R. Holot of New Jersey; and a number of cousins, nieces, nephews, and beloved former students. But, perhaps she’ll be missed most of all by her beloved toy poodle, Spunky.

Friends will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 East Cunningham St. Butler, PA 16001 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 105 Kohler Ave. Lyndora, PA 16045. Rev. Radko Blichar, Pastor, to officiate. Interment will follow at the Northside Cemetery in Butler.

Parastas Services will be held at 6:30 pm Tuesday at the Funeral Home.

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