Obituary of Lara Ann Kavanagh

Lara passed in peace on Thursday morning, 12/13, in hospice at Stamford Hospital. Lara courageously battled a very rare cancer for over 4 years, yet continued to enjoy life and her family to the fullest. She continued her favorite hobbies of running, traveling, and serving her community. She was involved with organizations such as Person to Person and volunteered at her daughter’s schools. She also helped raise awareness and funds for Memorial Sloane Kettering’s Cycle for Survival.

Lara was born in Charleston, SC to Larry Robert Kumfer and Barbara Barkovich Kumfer and was raised in Fort Wayne, IN. Lara met her husband, Mark Kavanagh, while an undergrad at Indiana University. She graduated in 1991 before moving to Chicago and then Washington D.C. Mark and Lara were married for 23.5 years and lived in Stamford, CT during that time. They have an amazing daughter Caroline (15). Over the past 12 years, Lara, Mark, and Caroline enjoyed spending time in their favorite place, Charleston, SC, as well as time golfing and enjoying the company of friends at Innis Arden Golf Club.

In addition to her parents, Lara is survived by her younger sister Kim and her children Kaeley (13) and J.J. (11) and her younger brother Brian and his husband Dave Gardner.

Visitation will be held at Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home at 453 Shippan Ave Stamford CT (203)-359-9999 on Sunday, December 16, 2018 from 1-5pm. A  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Leo’s Church on 24 Roxbury Road, Stamford Ct. on Monday, December 17, 2018 at 10:30 AM.  It is Lara’s strong wish that in lieu of flowers for those to support the MSK Cycle for Survival Cause which fights rare cancers.  Contributions in her memory may be mailed to MSK Cycle for Survival/Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center PO Box 27432 New York, NY 10087-7432 or the team link http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/RunRidePrayLove

The family would like to thank the great staff at MSK, Stamford Hospital, and Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County.   The funeral arrangements are under the care of Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home. To send on-line condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com