Janet Ann Cavanaugh, age 86, born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard (2014) of 58 years, her parents, Vern and Anna Gruss. She is survived by her children, Mark (Laurie) Cavanaugh, Daniel (Susan) Cavanaugh, Peter Cavanaugh, Ann Cavanaugh; grandchildren, Jessica (Bennie), Stevie, Daryl, Kelly (David), Matt, Mitch (Kaitlyn), Bryn, Grant, Max; 8 great grandchildren; brother, Tom (Sally) Gruss; many nieces and nephews.
She attended St. Augustine High School and then Western Michigan University where she pursued her interest in education, and met her husband, Dick. They married and enjoyed raising four children and she embraced being a mom. She loved her family as evidenced by preparing a multitude of homemade meals, of summertime camping trips and years of memories with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren at Gun Lake and Duncan Lake.
As her children grew Janet worked in the classroom for the Grand Rapids Public School system for many years helping students and those with learning disabilities get the attention and support needed to be successful. She and Dick retired from teaching and built their home on Duncan Lake in Caledonia, spending summers and time with her family and winters in Florida and South Padre, Texas. She loved slow motor boat rides in the evening and spotting Dick from the paddle boat when he insisted on swimming back and forth across the lake well into his 70’s.
She was a gracious host for family dinners – large and small – for holidays and Sunday afternoons at the lake. She loved sewing, making her own clothes in her younger years and designing and decorating every home and cottage with style. She carried herself with style and grace and was known and loved by many for her fashion sense. When needed you could always count on her for thoughtful and insightful advice.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, July 23, 11:00 AM at Holy Family Church, 9669 Kraft Ave SE, Caledonia, Rev. Loc Trinh, presiding. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions all attending the Mass and visitation are required to wear masks and practice social distancing. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 22 from 5:30 – 8:00 PM at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE. Interment St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family Church.