Clare Mellon Kane died Oct. 31, at home and surrounded by her family. She was 90, lived in Greenwich, Conn., and had been a summer resident of Aquinnah for 54 years.

Clare Catherine Mellon was born to Joseph and Elsie Edling Mellon on August 6, 1931, in Queens, N.Y. She grew up in Springfield Gardens, N.Y. along with her older brother Robert.

Outgoing and vivacious, she attended Andrew Jackson High School, where she was the captain of the cheerleading team and attended Barbizon Modeling School at the same time. She graduated from Berkley Secretarial School (now Berkley College) and went to work for American Airlines in New York city. As the executive assistant to the ticketing director, she took full advantage of free flights to indulge her love of travel, often returning to her favorite destinations — Acapulco and Tucson.

In 1952, when a high school friend set her up on a blind date with his college buddy, she met the love of her life. Clare and David Kane were kindred spirits who shared a great sense of adventure, love of the outdoors and commitment to family. It was truly a match made in heaven.

They married in 1955 and moved to St. Louis, Mo., where David was stationed with the Coast Guard. During their two years in St. Louis, Clare fully embraced her new role as a Coast Guard wife. After the birth of their first child, they returned to the East Coast and built a house in Greenwich, where David began teaching in the Greenwich school system. The family grew to include four children and David became the assistant superintendent of the school system. In 1966, they launched a real estate business, gradually building a portfolio of residential properties, and Clare took on the role of business manager.

Her lifelong passions included tennis and biking, which she continued into her 80s, and travel, especially to Martha’s Vineyard and St. John. It was on these two Islands that Clare and David purchased land and built — by themselves and by hand — a beach house in each location.

Clare was not just handy but creative as well, and had a special gift for homemaking. Her talents ranged from gardening and flower arranging to decorating, entertaining and cooking. She was also an exceptional baker, and her daily homemade desserts were legendary.

She was known for her infectious sense of humor and down-to-earth outlook on life. She had a deep and abiding faith in God and lived that faith by example. Whether she was volunteering in a soup kitchen, an animal shelter or as a docent at the Gay Head Lighthouse, her generous spirit and sunny disposition made everyone feel loved and appreciated.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, and their children: Michael and his partner Ruth; Elizabeth and her husband Phillip Arturi; Maura and her husband Erik Sayre and Timothy and his wife Annette. In addition, she is survived by her 11 grandchildren: Caitlin, Emily, Joseph, Andrew, Tucker, Jake, Nolan, David, Bo, Kyle and Wyatt, three great-grandsons: Ben, Finn and Charlie; sister in law Nancy Bischoff and 11 nieces and nephews and their families.

Her greatest gift to her family is an amazing legacy of love that will live in their hearts forever.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 26 at St. Michael Church in Greenwich.

Donations can be made to the Vineyard Conservation Society, Friends of Greenwich Point, or the Animal Care Center of St. John.