Cathleen
Cathleen Cokely Cavanagh
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 23, 2021, Cathleen Cokely Cavanagh passed safely and peacefully from this life at the age of 87. She was born on September 10, 1933, to Winnifred and George Cokely in San Jose, California. She was the younger sister to her brother, George, and a long-time valley resident.
She graduated from North High School and began her working life at a Men’s clothing store. It is there that she met the man she would marry and spend the rest of her life with, Thomas Cavanagh. Married for 66 years, she and Tom brought five healthy children into this world and raised them in a wonderful, adventurous, and challenging life. A long-time member of Arizona Country Club, she spent many hours sitting in the backyard of her home on the golf course, watching kids swim, playing hide and seek, planning 4th of July parties, watching swim meets, and supporting future junior golf contenders.
Cathie loved her family, and it was her deepest desire to be the very best wife and mother that she knew how to be. Her family was her life. She knew just what to say and what to do when life brought unexpected situations. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate life and to celebrate those around her.
She was a powerful listener, with an open heart and was the one who was always there. She was a marvelous cook, she threw fabulous parties, and never left anyone out. She always knew how to make everyone feel welcome; that was one of her most profound gifts. She welcomed all into her world, no matter who they were.
She was a girl scout leader, a home room mom, and a volunteer for many charity organizations. She loved the ocean, and she loved the mountains, and she treasured her life and her homes there.
She is survived by her four remaining children, Laurie Helgeson (Grant), Colleen McGuire (David), Meg Murphy (Brian) and Tim Cavanagh, as well as 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, who all knew her as Gramma & Muttie.
Cathie was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her son Eddie, her parents, and her brother.
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His Hand”.
A Visitation will be held 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, June 28, 2021, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
A Celebration of Life following the Mass will be held at The Gainey Ranch Golf Club at 7600 E. Gainey Club Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
She graduated from North High School and began her working life at a Men’s clothing store. It is there that she met the man she would marry and spend the rest of her life with, Thomas Cavanagh. Married for 66 years, she and Tom brought five healthy children into this world and raised them in a wonderful, adventurous, and challenging life. A long-time member of Arizona Country Club, she spent many hours sitting in the backyard of her home on the golf course, watching kids swim, playing hide and seek, planning 4th of July parties, watching swim meets, and supporting future junior golf contenders.
Cathie loved her family, and it was her deepest desire to be the very best wife and mother that she knew how to be. Her family was her life. She knew just what to say and what to do when life brought unexpected situations. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate life and to celebrate those around her.
She was a powerful listener, with an open heart and was the one who was always there. She was a marvelous cook, she threw fabulous parties, and never left anyone out. She always knew how to make everyone feel welcome; that was one of her most profound gifts. She welcomed all into her world, no matter who they were.
She was a girl scout leader, a home room mom, and a volunteer for many charity organizations. She loved the ocean, and she loved the mountains, and she treasured her life and her homes there.
She is survived by her four remaining children, Laurie Helgeson (Grant), Colleen McGuire (David), Meg Murphy (Brian) and Tim Cavanagh, as well as 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, who all knew her as Gramma & Muttie.
Cathie was preceded in death by her husband Tom, her son Eddie, her parents, and her brother.
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sunshine warm upon your face and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His Hand”.
A Visitation will be held 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Sunday, June 27, 2021, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, June 28, 2021, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
A Celebration of Life following the Mass will be held at The Gainey Ranch Golf Club at 7600 E. Gainey Club Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85258.
Condolences and Hugs from Home may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Cathleen Cokely Cavanagh, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 14
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors