Theresa Mary Cavanagh

Newport, RI - Theresa Mary Grieco Cavanagh, 99, of the St. Clare Home, 309 Spring Street, Newport, RI, formerly of Portsmouth, RI, died Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the St. Clare Home, Newport, RI. She was the wife of the late Edward J. Cavanagh. Born in New York City, NY, on July 27, 1908, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Antoinette Greco Grieco.Mrs. Cavanagh had worked as a secretary and receptionist for Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States in New York Cityfor 8 years. When she moved to Portsmouth, she worked in private duty as a seamstress. She had been a volunteer at the St. Clare Home for over 20 years, and received an official Citation from Governor DiPrete in 1989. Mrs. Cavanagh was a Communicant of St. Barnabas Church and had served on the Womens Guild for many years. Theresa was an avid reader whose love for books and love of knowledge was an inspiration to her family. Theresas love of cooking, particulary Italian cooking created a world of happiness and love for her entire family and friends. Theresas energy and life force has always made everyone around her joyful and filled with laughter. She is survived by a son Ronald J. Cavanagh MD of Chico, CA, a daughter Mary Theresa Cavanagh Dunn of Hopewell Jct., NY, six grandchildren Patrick Cavanagh, Michael Cavanagh, Thomas Cavanagh, Marie Cavanagh, Kevin Dunn, and Ronald Dunn, and many great grandchildren. She was also the sister of the late Joseph Grieco, Victor Grieco, Frances Marie Grieco, Isabelle Trey, Sabina Sarro, and Lucy Greco. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at 10:30am from the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Barnabas Church, 1697 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in St. Columbas Cemetery in Middletown. Calling hours will be held Wednesday morning, April 9, 2008, from 9:30 - 10:30 am in the Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Clare Home Patient Activities Fund, 309 Spring Street, Newport, RI, 02840 or to the Portsmouth Free Public Library, 2658 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871.