Lauren A. Kane

Lauren A. Kane, of Stoneham, passed away on Monday, April 22, 2024, after a brief illness.  She was 64 years of age.  Born in Medford, Massachusetts, Lauren is the daughter of Jeanne Louise (Rourke) Kane and Robert Donald Kane, Bob having departed just days earlier.  Lauren attended Medford High School where she excelled in history and social studies, eager to pursue a career in politics or law.  She earned a degree in Crime and Delinquency at Suffolk University and later became a Special Education teacher at Charlestown High School.  During her college years, Lauren worked as an undercover narcotics officer in Halifax, Massachusetts, taking the job to help kids in a town that had seen a surge of overdose deaths.  This inspired her toward law enforcement, joining the Medford Police Department as the only female recruit in her class of 1986, and eventually becoming a Detective within Medford’s Drug Unit and earning her Master’s in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.  

During her career, Det. Lauren Kane joined the DEA’s Joint Boston Drug Task Force and helped to stem the tide of illegal drugs in Boston, Chelsea, Woburn and Cambridge.  She earned Boston’s Neighborhood Policing Award and distinctions from the New England Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association.  The DEA Special Agent in Charge noted “Detective Kane has proven herself to be a highly effective undercover Agent (often operating under dangerous conditions), an investigator with extraordinary skills and remarkable instincts, and a skilled surveillance operative.”  Lauren also researched drug court reform initiatives toward preventing the dehumanization of addicts facing incarceration for non-violent drug crimes.  In her investigative work, Lauren walked in the footsteps of her great-grandfather William H. Kane, Chief Police Inspector of the City of Lynn.

 
There was another side to Lauren Kane, one who loved her family fiercely and her friends just as much.  Lauren’s many close friends were also her extended family, and these relationships were most important to her.  When someone she loved was in need, Lauren’s generous and caring spirit would be there to listen and lend a hand.  She had your back with courage, wit and self-sacrifice.  Lauren had an empathy for all sentient beings and celebrated the beauty in nature, music, art, cooking and travel.  She cared for many furry friends over the years, most recently Declan and Chara, her maltipoos who gave her great comfort.  She adhered to the Dalai Lama’s philosophy that happiness and harmony in the world may be achieved through compassion, and was proud to have met him when he blessed the MPD during a visit to the Tibetan Buddhist center in Medford.  

Lauren departed on Earth Day before a bright full moon.  Just by being in it, she left this world a better place.  We will forever miss our strongest sister, friend and aunt.

Lauren A. Kane is the devoted sister of David R. Kane, Sheila M. Pandiscio and her husband Paul, Vincent M. Kane and his wife Jennifer.  She is the loving aunt of Sydney and Kyle Pandiscio, and Allison, Meghan and Dylan Kane.  She is the wife of the late Jack Gallagher and stepmother to Jackie and Justin Gallagher.  She leaves many dear relatives in the Lamoureux, Coté and O'Rourke families.

We would be honored to have those that knew Lauren join us in a Celebration of her life, where friends and family are invited to share stories and memories of her.  We extend that invitation to Lauren's family and friends to join us at Bear Hill Country Club in Stoneham, Massachusetts on Thursday, June 27th at 11:30 AM.