GARDINER — Virginia Malcolm Kane passed away peacefully on March 27, 2015, at the Hospice House in Auburn. This courageous woman battled frontal temporal dementia since 2002. Born in Gardiner on Feb. 25, 1944, the daughter of Viola and James Malcolm. She graduated from Gardiner High School in 1962. Four years later, she graduated from the University of Maine with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.

Virginia began her career teaching physical science and social studies in New Hampshire. For the next three and a half years, Virginia taught first grade at the Franklin School in Newcastle where she met her future husband Ted. Virginia and Ted were married at the Children’s Chapel in Rockport on June 29, 1968. After raising three children, Virginia eventually returned to the classroom, where she taught first grade for the next 25 years. In 2002, after 30 years in the classroom, Virginia retired.

Virginia had an intense love of animals, especially cats and dogs.

Described as loyal and loving, she always put the health and happiness of others before her own. Virginia was an incredible wife, mother, and grandmother who deeply enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Virginia made it clear that her loved ones were of the utmost importance and there was nothing more worthy of her time and attention.

Virginia’s survivors include her husband Ted; a son Alan, daughters Jennifer Crockett and Julie Gajowski; a brother Robert Malcolm, two sisters Janet Logan Buck and Marion Malcolm; mother-in-law Patricia Kane; brother in-law Robert Buck; sister-in-law Beverly Kane Rogers; sons-in-law Josh Gajowski and Jimmy Crockett; daughter-in-law Audree Kane; grandchildren, Stella, James Theodore, Ty, Luke, Ethan and Evan. Her extended family includes many nieces and nephews.

Virginia was predeceased by her mother Viola Malcolm; father James Malcolm; father-in-law, Theodore Kane; sister-inlaw Ruth Malcolm; and brother-in-law Keith Logan.

A memorial service will be held on April 7, at noon, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Hospice House of Auburn for the outstanding care they showed Virginia in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice House, 236 Stetson Road, Auburn, ME 04210.