Joanne McLaughlin Cavanagh, 74, of Farmington, CT, died on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at her daughter’s home after a lengthy illness. Born in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Harold and Mary McLaughlin, she attended Saint Scholastica Academy in Chicago and the Katherine Gibbs School. She lived in the Chicago area until 1973, when she and her family moved to the Palm Beaches area of Florida. Joanne was a devoted and beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a loyal friend. She had a spirit and zest for life and compassion that touched the lives of all around her. She was a consummate student of anthropology, music and interior design, an avid world traveler, golfer, skier and tennis player. A devout Catholic, Joanne was dedicated to working for various charities in the Chicago area including: The House of Good Shepherd, Misericordia Home, the Cuneo Hospital and the Maternity Center. A music lover, she participated in the Chicago Symphony Docent Program, served on the board of the Junior Opera Guild of the Palm Beaches and as chair of the Palm Beach Opera Education committee. She was a very talented interior designer and, during the early 1980’s, was a design associate for Frances Lee Kennedy Interiors of the Palm Beaches. She is survived by daughters, Mary Sue of Farmington, CT and Lisa Woods of Lake Worth, FL; by son, Joe of Farmington, CT.; by granddaughter, Laura Woods Perez and great-granddaughters, Marina, Sienna and Solana of Bellevue, IL; and nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1125 Church Street, Glenview (corner of Church and Grove Streets). Burial will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 700 N. River Road, Des Plaines. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joanne’s’ memory to Saint Scholastica Academy, 7416 N. Ridge Road, Chicago, IL 60645.
