Obituary of Jane E. Cavanna

Jane Elizabeth (Tooher) Cavanna (1931 to 2018)

Loving wife, mother, daughter, sister-in-law, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend.

With great sadness, the family of Jane Elizabeth (Tooher) Cavanna announces her passing after a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s on September 20, 2018 at the age of 87.  She was a lifelong resident of Stamford, CT.   Most recently, Jane and her husband, Louis, resided at the Greens at Cannondale in Wilton, CT.

The only child of Jim and Elizabeth (Cole) Tooher, Jane was born on June 30, 1931 in Greenwich, CT.  Jane lost her mother at the early age of 8 years old and her father at age 19.  Her father, with help from his sister, raised Jane.

She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy High School in Stamford in 1949.  She went on to attend St. Vincent’s School of Nursing in Bridgeport, CT and graduated in 1952 as a Registered Nurse.  Jane went on to work at Stamford Hospital and served as a nurse for the OBGYN office of Dr. Wyatt and Dr. Hoffman in Greenwich.  Jane was the first President of the Stamford Council of Catholic Nurses.  The last nine years of her career, she acted as the school nurse for Rodgers Elementary School in Stamford.  Jane also performed private duty nursing.

In addition to her nursing career, Jane was an active parishioner of St. Leo’s Parish in Stamford.  She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the American Red Cross and reading programs in the Stamford school system.  Her Irish heritage and Catholic faith were very important to her.

Jane was married for 60 years to the love of her life, Louis Anthony Cavanna.  Their marriage was based on a devout faith and unconditional love, proof of which could be seen by Jane’s relentless caring for Lou, after his stroke 15 years ago. Together they raised a daughter Beth and a son Christopher.  Jane will be remembered as a loving and tirelessly devoted caretaker of her family and for her strong yet warm presence in her children and grandchildren’s lives.  Over the years, Jane attended countless sporting and music events, plays, dance recitals and graduations of her grandchildren – no matter whether the event took place close to home or in another state. 

Jane loved dearly her many faithful friends and neighbors and considered them family.    Her thoughtfulness was famous – she never missed an occasion to send a handwritten note from the heart.  She loved sending cards, letters and articles to people who were important in her life, and there were many.  She was grateful for the care she received from her doctors, the staff from the Greens at Cannondale, Fox Rehabilitation, Visiting Angels, and Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Fairfield County.  

In her spare time, Jane loved to play cards, golf, do puzzles, garden, volunteer, and watch her football teams, especially the Dallas Cowboys and Penn State Nittany Lions.  She enjoyed her walks around the neighborhood and on Cove Beach with her husband, and later trolley rides at the Cove with her grandchildren.  She loved to cook for gatherings of family and friends, always keeping track in a notebook of what she made for her guests, ensuring she would not cook the same thing twice.  Her holiday meals were always memorable occasions.  Jane had quite the sweet tooth.  She never failed to stock her freezer with a generous stash of “Ice Cream Treat”, a staple you could count on.  In addition to her husband Louis, Jane leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Beth (Cavanna) Kinsley and her husband Tony of Fairfield, CT, son Chris Cavanna and his wife Wynne of Northborough, MA, sister-in-law Theresa (Cavanna) Napoletano of Norwalk, CT, her grandchildren Matthew, Sara and David Kinsley and Nicholas, Douglas and Holly Cavanna, as well as her nephews, nieces and cousins.

Friends may greet the family at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral home (next to the Knights of Columbus) 453 Shippan Avenue Stamford, CT on October 4th from 4 to 8 PM.  Her Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 AM, the next day October 5th at St. Leo’s Church 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford, CT.    Immediately following the mass, all are invited to attend a reception to celebrate Jane’s life.  Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Jane Cavanna to the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter 200 Executive Blvd. suite 4 B Southington, CT 06489.   www.alz.org/ct.  To send condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com