Vera M. Kavanaugh

Vera M. Kavanaugh, 97, of Beal City passed away Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at Central Michigan Community Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church,with Father Ed Kline and Deacon Larry Fussman co-officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at Lux Funeral Home on Thursday from 6-9 p.m. and Friday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. There will be a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Visitation continues at the church on Saturday from 9-10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heart Association of Michigan. Envelopes are available at Lux Funeral Home. Vera was born Nov. 25, 1908, in Beal City, the daughter of William and Margaret (Theisen) Smith. She married Edward Kavanaugh on May 6, 1933 at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. In 1925 Vera was a member of the first graduating class from Beal City High School. She went on to receive her teaching certificate from Central Michigan College. From 1956-1973 she taught at St. Joseph The Worker School. She also worked alongside her husband on the farm and on mail routes. In her early years she was employed by H.J. Heinz. She was very instrumental in the publication of the Beal City Centennial Book. She enjoyed traveling, reading, quilting, knitting, and playing cards. As a lifelong member of St. Joseph Church, she was involved with the RCIA program and was a member of the Council of Catholic Women. Vera is survived by eight children, Kathleen Kennedy of Columbus, Maureen Schmalbach of Mt. Pleasant, Terry (Laura) Kavanaugh of Fairfield, Iowa, Sharon (Claude) LaFray of Saginaw, Paul Kavanaugh of Traverse City, Edward (Sally) Kavanaugh of Traverse City, Patricia (Harry) Wilson of Dexter, and Michael (Karen) Kavanaugh of Weidman; a daughter-in-law, Joan (Thomas) OHalloran of Dearborn Heights; 23 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Regina Smith of Beal City. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward in 1987; two children, Kenneth Kavanaugh and Mary Patricia Kavanaugh; two brothers, Bernard and Virgil Smith; two sons-in-law, Michael Schmalbach and John Kennedy; and six grandchildren.