Dorinda CAVANAUGH
Dorinda CAVANAUGH
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Dorinda CAVANAUGH Obituary
1944 - 2015
Surrounded by her family, Dorinda passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2015, under the tender service of the Palliative Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital following a two- year battle with Lymphoma. The daughter of Ida Greco and Nicholas Carosella, and sister to Rosemary, Dorinda is mourned by her husband of 55 years, Brendan, her five children, Robin, Marisa, Emily, Nicholas, Olivia Rose, and their families. As the co- founder and Director of TDH Canada, an international adoption and relief organization for children, Dorinda devoted herself to finding families for nearly five thousand orphaned children over a period of 40 years. A devout Catholic, deeply motivated to work at loving God and loving her neighbour, she was an active member of Father John Baxter's Holy Family Parish, and a friend of Mother Philomena of Visitation and of Mother Theresa of Calcutta. There will be a viewing at Holy Family Church, 7355 Lajeunesse, Montreal, on Friday, September 25, beginning at 12:00 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:30 p.m. Interment will take place immediately following the service at the Sainte-Anne-de- Bellevue Cemetery, 20825 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue. Condolences may be received at www.kanefetterly.qc.ca
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53 Entries
September 24, 2020
Nous avons appris tardivement que vous nous aviez quittés.
Merci Dorinda, pour l'être tout en douceur, tout en humanisme, que vous avez été.
Merci pour tant de travail accompli, auprès des enfants du Vietnam et du monde.
Merci pour tout.
Noémiah Aurélie (Do Mai Lan)
Renée Marie
Debbi (Sarjeant) McCue
May 9, 2016
Dear Brendan & Family, I have just now read of Dorinda's passing. Please know that I have thought of you both often and so very fondly. You will always remain in my thoughts and prayers.
November 19, 2015
Dear Brendan and family,
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Dorinda. Her foot steps have made so many people happy, and her love always cherished.
Lois and Denis Kay,
Stratford, PEI
Diane Greco
November 18, 2015
My prayers are with Brendan and the family. So sorry to hear of the passing of Dorinda.I have fond memories of a trip to Canada that Dorinda and Brendan took me on as a child. God Bless Diane
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Steve Greco
November 15, 2015
Brendan and Family,
I only heard of Dorinda's passing yesterday. The world has lost a great soul who did tremendous good for many but Heaven has gained a brilliant star to guide us.
Me and Dorinda 1957
Steve Greco
November 15, 2015
Rita Richardson
November 3, 2015
To Brendan and the Cavanaugh children,
I am so sorry for your loss of your dear Dorinda. She touched my life with her kindness and by her example a long time ago - such a privilege to have known her. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
November 1, 2015
We are deeply saddened by the news of Dorinda's passing. Sincerest sympathies to Brendan and the family. Our prayers are with you.
Vincent and Anna Nudo
Brett & Janice Clarkson
November 1, 2015
Our deepest sympathies to Dorinda's family and TDH friends on her passing. She helped bring home our beautiful children and she will remain a part of their stories forever.
October 6, 2015
Dear Dorinda,
With great sadness we learned of your passing.
You touched our hearts and changed our life.
We always be grateful for all your love and all you did for us.
The memory and spirit of you will life forever!
Regula, Jörg, Stephanie My Hoa, and Sonja My Hong Lütolf, Switzerland
October 2, 2015
Sincere condolences to Brendan and family.
Aline Blain (Beaconsfield)
Ines Runnels
September 29, 2015
My condolences to Brendan and family. Dorinda, you touched so many lives and you devoted yourself to the cause wholeheartedly. I think of all of you at this time of sorrow and pray that you may find consolation in the wonderful memories of the life you shared.
Chris Schreindorfer
September 28, 2015
My deepest condolences to all family and friends. We will miss you
Lois Nahirney
September 28, 2015
Dorinda was our angel - bringing our twins - Jason (Jasmyn) and Kailyn into our lives in 2002. Vietnam had recently closed to Canadian adoptions -but she was there, saw the twins and called agencies in Canada to see if she could find an eligible family for them to keep them together. We were in Sunrise Agency the day she called and we knew the kids were meant to be ours. It was a difficult process but she facilitated it with persistence till we were able to adopt the twins. Just in August, Dorinda helped us connect with our orphanage which we visited a few weeks ago. We love you Dorinda and thank you for the gift of our children. To Dorinda's family, thank you for sharing her with so many of us. She impacted so many families and lives in an amazing way.
September 27, 2015
Thank you Dorinda for many things over 40 years starting with helping me to breast feed. We could never list the many ways in which you have touched us all. Cherish the presence of God! With love, Debbi, Peter, Pam, David
Louise Auger
September 26, 2015
Sincere condolences to all the family and friends of this exceptional lady. You meant so much to so many people and helped them to cherish the most precious gift of a child.
Tracey McVicar
September 26, 2015
Thank you Dorinda for your very important work on behalf of so many families, including mine. You were tireless and selfless, and you will be missed.
Mary Hart
September 26, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the Cavanaugh family and to all in the TDH family. So much goodness and so much good done with grace and such kindness.
with love.
Susan McKenzie
September 26, 2015
We will miss Dorinda for the rest of our lives. Our family Susan Blake and Tien owes our life together to Dorinda. We send love and heart felt prayers to Brendan, Rosie, the entire family and Terres Des Hommes.
Paula, Tad, Shaolin & Shaiyen Temrick-Young
September 26, 2015
Dorinda - the love you brought into our lives with Shaolin HaVy in 2001 and the compassion and light you have shone on this earth will glow and guide us always. In your honour and with profound gratitude we will light our lanterns at the Mid-Autumn Moon Walk with our Vietnam Families Group tomorrow, Sat. Sept. 26th. With condolences to your loving husband, to your children, their families and to all at TDH.
David Pettinicchi
September 25, 2015
Cara bella Dorinda,
Ti amo per tutta la vita..... Grazie ancore e ancore..
Tu seras toujours dans nos curs et le beau Viêt Nam aussi.
Merci à la Vie tout ce que tu as été pour nous, notre famille.
Courage à toute la famille, à Brendan, à notre petite Rosie....
Lumière, Paix, Amour...toujours
Famille David et Lucie Pettinicchi,
Laura Natalina ( Kim Mai) Luciano Giuseppe ( Hoang Thien)
maria
September 25, 2015
Dorinda never rests. She's got a gang of angels helping her now intervening on behalf of orphans from her heavenly abode. Sending love and condolences to her closest family but also to her extended TDH family.
Jerry Cohen
September 25, 2015
She saved who-knows-how-many lives. Certainly she changed thousands. The world needs more people like her, not less.
I miss her terribly.
Carol Aziz
September 25, 2015
Our sincere condolences to Brendan and family on the loss of Dorinda. We are deeply saddened by the news and are eternally grateful to Dorinda for helping us build our family.
Mike, Carol, Aidan, and Maya Bao Thanh Thompson
Steve Shee
September 25, 2015
With thoughts of Brendan and family on their loss...
Dorinda was an extremely rare and shining example of what it is to be a genuinely decent, loving human being.
The world has lost a beautiful person. The most vulnerable of the world have lost one of their greatest champions.
May she forever continue to serve as an inspiration for us all to reach out and hug those who need to be hugged, touch those who need to be touched... and love those who need so much to be loved.
Jennie Yau
September 24, 2015
Our Sincere Condolence to the family. Thank you for helping us in our journey.
Be Giau (Brienna), Andrew and Jennie
September 24, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss. Dorinda was one of the most generous people I have ever met. Carole Corman
Annie Dubé
September 24, 2015
Mes pensées et mes prières vont avec vous, sa chère famille. Dorinda faisait partie de notre famille, d'une certaine façon. C'est elle qui s'est battue pour que notre fils aie une chance de continuer à vivre. Elle l'a aimé avant moi, elle en a pris soin avant moi et l'a défendu avant moi. Elle a fait le voyage avec lui pour venir au Québec en sachant que sa condition physique était très difficile. C'était beaucoup plus qu'un travail pour elle. Elle a pris du temps avec nous et avec Josué-Bao après l'adoption. Je suis triste parce qu'égoïstement, j'aurais voulu que Josué-Bao connaisse davantage la grande dame qu'elle était. Dorinda fera toujours dans nos vies car on lui doit beaucoup. Sans contredit, elle était une femme d'exception et elle m'a rendu une meilleure personne ! Que Dieu bénisse votre famille et qu'Il vous console !
La famille Barrette
François et Annie et les enfants xxx
John Aylen
September 24, 2015
Brendan, my deepest condolences.
Debra Bolduc
September 24, 2015
Extending our deepest sympathies to Brendan, Emily, and all the family... I have never met anyone I respected more than Dorinda. She's such a beautiful example of how to change the world for the better, through generosity, love and sheer determination! May she rest in peace....
Johanne Wagner
September 24, 2015
Thank you for giving us the privilege to be the parents of Logan Hoang, Toan, Binh and Phuoc, and for believing in us and supporting us through our journey. RIP, and wear your Angel wings proudly. xxx
Barb Gregory
September 24, 2015
My sincere condolences to the family, sorry to hear of Dorinda'a passing. May God fills you with his comfort and peace
September 24, 2015
Sincere condolences to you, Marissa and all your family. May the love Dorinda shared with you and the world keep your heart alive with love. Aunty Bunny, Uncle Keith, Aunty Diane and families. xoxoxox
September 24, 2015
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Thomas Wang, Lynn Chiu & Shane Wang
September 24, 2015
Une femme exceptionnelle...qui a changé la vie de centaines d'enfants pour le mieux. Une femme généreuse, touchante et dévouée....peut-être même irremplaçable. Combien de parents aussi lui doivent la joie et la richesse d'avoir des enfants..
Merci Dorinda . En espérant que tout ce que tu as engendré se poursuive...
Claude Meunier -papa de Kim et Lily
Diane Leduc Dubois
September 24, 2015
Une femme d'exception. Cela a étè un privilège de la cotoyer. Mes sincères condoléances à toute votre famille.
September 23, 2015
Nous sommes profondément attristés de cette nouvelle. Nous vous offrons nos condoléances les plus sincères à Brendan, vos enfants, Maria, Thuy, Loan et toute l'équipe TDH, et aux multitudes d'enfants et de personnes qui auront eu l'honneur comme nous de la côtoyer. Nous lui serons, comme toujours, éternellement reconnaissants pour son travail ardu.
Nous continuerons d'appuyer TDH et ses uvres, par lesquelles Dorinda continuera d'exister éternellement.
Julie Lalonde, Gilles Glandon et les enfants Natéa et Liam
Outaouais
Pascale montpetit
September 23, 2015
Chère très chère , si tendre si généreuse Dorinda, tu as été et sera pour toujours la troisième mère de ma fille Clara , avec sa maman vietnamienne et moi. Tu es allée au bout de ton énergie . Tu as TOUT DONNÉ. Je pense que je ne peux pas dire ça de personne d'autre que toi. Les gens qui te connaissent te reconnaîtront.
Une pensée pour Brendan, pour notre Rosie qu'on aime tous . Je sais que tu es là pour elle.
Il faudra que nous ayons la générosité de poursuivre ce que tu as fait.
Clara, Mathieu et Pascale Montpetit
Jean-Francois Chicoine
September 23, 2015
Cette semaine est morte est une femme d'exception, un monument d'érudition et de bonté, sans qui je ne connaitrais pas tout ce que je sais aujourd'hui sur les enfants abandonnés, sur les enfants porteurs de handicaps, sur les démarches adoptives extrêmes, sur les enfants du Vietnam, sur le bonding, sur l'attachement et sur un tas de choses, y compris notre amitié.
J'ai eu la chance de lui dire quelques jours avant qu'elle nous quitte, que je continuerais à discuter avec elle sur l'adoptabilité de ces enfants parfois si malades, si cassés, et qu'elle gagnerait encore souvent son point, mais moi aussi, pour le meilleur des familles à bâtir.
La chance de lui dire qu'elle avait fait de moi, à travers une vingtaine d'années de travail auprès des orphelins de Terre des Hommes Canada, et des dizaines de séjours au Vietnam et en Roumanie, fait de moi, un homme meilleur.
Je pense.
Je t'embrasse Dorinda
en m'excusant à l'avance de transmettre quelques-uns de nos courriels. Ils témoignent si bien de la force, de l'audace et de la douceur de ta personne.
Tu vas me manquer, beaucoup, à Brendan, aux enfants et à ta famille.
Pire, tu vas manquer à tant d'enfants abandonnés qui n'auront pas la chance de te croiser dans leur détresse.
Jean-Francois Chicoine MD Pédiatre
23 septembre 2015
Forever grateful to Dorinda for bringing our son to us, and for creating families for so many others.
Marlene & Doug
September 23, 2015
Dorinda in Vietnam with our son Eli, who's now 9 years old. Forever grateful to her for bringing our son to us.
Marlene & Doug
September 23, 2015
Masha Fedossov
September 23, 2015
My sincere condolences. I will never forget the Christmas I shared with you. I still have the cornhusk angel I admired on your tree that Dorinda took down and gave to me right then and there.
An angel is now with the angels...God bless her and you all.
Michèle Dubé
September 23, 2015
Mes sincères condoléances à toute la famille et plus spécialement à toi ma belle Rosie. Les prochains mois seront difficiles. Je suis avec toi et t'envoie beaucoup de courage xx
Franca and Andy Kozina
September 23, 2015
Dorinda, we are sorry that you have left this earth. Your work with orphaned children is an inspiration to all of us.
September 23, 2015
Rest in Peace Dorinda. You now have been granted the wings - although you've always been an angel. Our love to your family.
Gerald Romanow
September 23, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this moment of grief. Dorinda will be missed by all of us at Holy Family. Please accept our deepest sympathies.
Joanne and Gerry Romanow and
Mary Donatelli
Francois Barrette
September 23, 2015
Francois Barrette
September 23, 2015
Francois Barrette
September 23, 2015
September 23, 2015
Memory Eternal to Dorinda!
Karen Tasca
September 23, 2015
Rest in peace Dorinda...you will forever be remembered for all your kind and generous work. You gave our family the greatest gift we would ever know...thank you and God bless your family in this time of sorrow.
Linda Vincelli
September 23, 2015
My heart goes out to all of you on your loss of Dorinda. I know she will be missed by many but will remain in your hearts forever watching over you. My deepest sincerest sympathies to each and every one of you.
Masako Shigehisa
September 23, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the whole family.
We miss you Dorinda.R.I.P.
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5301 boul. Decarie, Montreal, QC H3W 3C4
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