Tosa Family Matriarch Celebrates 100 Years

Posted: June 23, 2009

Family means everything to long-time Wauwatosa residents Tom and Jean Winter. Their five grown children attended Christ King School, and so do many of their grandchildren. Last week, the Tosa clan had an extraordinary milestone to celebrate: Jean’s mom, Jean Kane, turned 100.

First there was a huge bash with more than 90 guests which featured a fashion show of the birthday girl’s many decades of fantastic style, modeled by her great-granddaughters. Then, the extended family spent the week gathering for many visits, lunches, and even a dinner with granddaughter Beth Meints, who shares a birthday with the centenarian. On her actual birthday, June 17, Kane tooled around Wauwatosa in a 1930 Model A Ford Roadster, driven by Winter family friend and Wauwatosa resident Rhody Megal.

“She has truly had an amazing life,” the younger Jean said. “My mom was born in New York City in 1909, and reluctantly turned over to the Sisters of Charity by her birth mother, an immigrant who could not provide for her.”

“When she was two, she was put on an Orphan Train bound for the Midwest, and was soon adopted by Henry and Bertha Metzger in Chicago,” Winter said.

The Orphan Trains ran from 1854 to 1929, transporting an estimated 200,000 children across 47 states and Canada. Assisted by The Children's Aid Society and The New York Foundling Hospital, these Orphan Trains were part of a program that placed homeless children with families throughout the country. This is considered to be the start of documented foster care in America.

At age 21, she married William H. Kane in Chicago and raised six children. Widowed at age 51, Kane went back to work to support her young family. Over the years, she served her community as an active member of her parish in Chicago, president of the Mother’s Club for her son’s high school, and spent many hours in a variety of volunteer roles.

An avid dancer, she was with the McNamara Irish Dance group as a child and enjoyed many lead roles in school productions. This continued into adulthood, kicking up her heels with the Charleston or Jitterbug whenever possible, and was still cutting a rug up until a few years ago.

“She got up on stage at Lucille’s Piano Bar and joined the show – Rockette style – at her 98th birthday,” laughs Winter. “Mom will tell you, her legs are her best part.”

The cherished matriarch of her family, Kane has 16 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She has been living independently in the Chicago area, and will soon be moving to Wauwatosa to be near family.