Irish eyes will be smiling on one of Summit Hill’s most popular residents — Alice Kane — when the Panther Valley Irish-American Association holds its 71st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Banquet on March 17.

The wife of Alexander “Butch” Kane of West White Street, she will be the guest of honor that night at the dinner program scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. at the Hill Top Community Center, Summit Hill.

Recently retired as Summit Hill’s longtime tax collector, Kane will receive the association’s annual Shamrock Award from PVIAA President Robert O’Gurek Jr., dubbing her as the “Irishwoman of the Year” in the Panther Valley-Tamaqua area.

“I am truly overwhelmed; never expected this,” said Kane, who ended her public service tenure as the Summit Hill tax collector after 32 years at the end of 2017.

“Just to be selected, to be in such a great group of past recipients, I am really touched. It means a whole lot to me because there are so many other people who I believe deserve the honor.”

O’Gurek said, “As the PVIAA president, I am extremely happy for Alice to be nominated for the Shamrock Award. She is loved in our community, not only in Summit Hill, but the whole Panther Valley area. Family is extremely important to Alice, and her feelings for family extends far beyond her relatives.

“Having been the Summit Hill tax collector for many years, local residents learned Alice is a caring and funny person with a beautiful personality. It is going to be an awesome evening on St. Patrick’s Day to honor a great person in Alice O’Donnell Kane.”

Selection committee member Bob Crampsie pointed out, “Alice is a perfect example of the association’s motto, ‘The Tradition Continues,’ following in the footsteps of her late father, Ambrose, a past recipient in 1965 for his dedication to public service.

Kane said accepting the award will be a special moment for her.

She said, “Really, what makes it special for me is that my father received the award 53 years ago. To follow him is something close to my heart. I only wish my brothers (the late Ambrose Jr. and Richard “Dick” O’Donnell) could be here to see it.”

The event will be part of a special year for her and her husband as they will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Aug. 17.

Kane was born to an Irishman and politician who was raised in the area known as “Patchtown” in the western end of Summit Hill, and his wife, the late Florence (Doll) O’Donnell. In addition to her deceased brothers, she was one of four siblings, her other one being Robert, married to Daryl, of Pen Argyl.

“Yeah, we were always proud of our ancestry, and attending the PVIAA dinners was always a special time each St. Patrick’s Day,” Alice said.

Her father, who served Carbon County as a state representative from 1945-46 and commissioner from 1948-55, was president of the association back in 1954.

A 1965 graduate of Panther Valley High School, she worked as a secretary for the former Genetti’s supermarket in Lansford.

She and husband “Butch” have three children: Martin, married to Jill, of Linwood, New Jersey; Jennifer, wife of John Buchala of Hometown; and Allison Maini of Franklin Township. The Kanes have five grandchildren: Brendan and Austin Kane, John and Alexis Alice Buchala, and Allee Maini.

For 20 years, starting in 1982, she served as the judge of elections in Summit Hill’s First Ward. In 1985, she was elected Summit Hill tax collector. Never having opposition after her first bid for office, she was re-elected to seven other four-year terms, culminating her 32-year career in office in December.

For five years, she also worked part-time in the Carbon County Prothonotary’s Office.

“The tax collector’s job was wonderful. It truly was,” she reflected. “

I enjoyed all of those years, being around wonderful people, good people from this community (Summit Hill). I looked forward to seeing them every April, and I don’t believe there wasn’t a day that we didn’t sit in the office here and laugh.”

Kane was the first president of the Summit Hill Girls’ Softball Association; a team captain for the American Legion team in the Summit Hill Little League Association and Auxiliary; den mother of Cub Scout Pack 145; and an active member of the Panther Valley Band Boosters.

A lifelong Democrat, she is a longtime member and secretary of the Jeffersonian Democratic Club, Summit Hill, where she assisted in many campaigns of local, county and state candidates.

At St. Joseph Catholic Church of the Panther Valley, Summit Hill, where she and her husband worship, Kane served for many years as the worker coordinator for the annual St. Joseph Parish Festival, and also volunteered in the assembly of the weekly parish bulletins.

She was a volunteer teacher’s aide at the former St. Joseph’s Parochial School, Summit Hill.

The dinner will be served by Hess Catering of Schuylkill Haven, and will be preceded by a social hour from 5-6 p.m., followed by the program.

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the brother-and-sister duo of Colin Jones and Kerry Uher.

In addition to O’Gurek, serving as 2018 officers of the association are attorney Eric Filer, first vice president; Thomas Jones, second vice president; Paul McArdle Jr., secretary; Michael McCall and Michael Crampsie, co-treasurers; and Tim Kurchak, sergeant-at-arms.

Tickets to the dinner can be obtained from association members Emmett McCall, 570-645-2093; Bob Crampsie, 570-657-1876; or Paul McArdle Jr., 570-956-8705.