LaVonne Joan Cavanagh, age 87 of Forsyth, Illinois, formerly of Mt. Carroll, Illinois passed away Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Fair Havens Christian Home in Decatur, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Friday, May 19, 2017 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Mt. Carroll. A graveside service will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, with Father Moises Apostol officiating. LaVonne has asked that memorials be made to the Humane Society or the ASPCA.
LaVonne was born December 27, 1929 in Garretson, South Dakota the daughter of Einer and Dagny (Jordhal) Nelsen. She attended high school in Provo, South Dakota and graduated with the Class of 1947. LaVonne married the love of her life William “Bill” Cavanagh on January 26, 1949 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Bill passed away August 27, 2014. Lavonne worked for Prudential Insurance in Boston, Massachusetts as an Executive Secretary for many years.
LaVonne and her husband Bill enjoyed traveling to Europe, and especially loved the time they spent in Rome. She loved cats, listening to music, game shows and doing Word Searches. LaVonne was a tiny package of dynamite – she zipped around like a tornado, sometimes humming a favorite song while she worked. She loved to tell stories about her job, her travels, or her pets. With her Bostonian accent and big laugh when she was tickled, she could brighten your day. She was known by her nieces and nephews as “Auntie Vonne”. LaVonne always had her signature sign off, on a card or letter, “Loads of Love”.
LaVonne will be lovingly remembered by her three siblings, David (Adele) Bauer of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Diane (Dan) Pape of Vancouver, Washington, Debbie (Tim) Coziahr of Decatur, Illinois; many nieces and nephews; special cousin, Margery Dubbelde; Special Friends, Shawna, Paul, Evan, Linda and Ralph; all her friends in Mt. Carroll, and all her friends in Decatur and at Hickory Point Christian Village. Special thanks to Shawna, who took care of LaVonne, Bill in Mt. Carroll; and special thanks to her “doll, “Michele, who took care of her in Decatur, and could always make her giggle. LaVonne was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; Father Einer; Stepfather, Duane Bauer and her mother, Dagny Bauer.