Marion Kane (Photo: Tweeten Eldercare)
Famed synchronized swim coach Marion L. Kane, 81, passed away Aug. 10, 2015. Cause of death is unknown, but she had been hospitalized several years ago with coronary emboli. While still in her teens, she began instructing younger swimmers and, during a career spanning more than 65 years, Kane coached 51 national champions.
She’s best known for founding the San Francisco Merionettes synchro team, which she coached for 18 years. Kane’s innovative techniques helped the team dominate the sport for 14 years, winning 67 U.S. National AAU titles, plus 32 Senior and Junior National AAU stunt titles and 29 major international titles, including the 1971 Pan American Games.
She moved to Santa Rosa, Calif., in 1974 and established the Marion L. Kane International Synchro School. In 1981, she was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
