Dorothy M. Kavanagh

News Death Notice

KAVANAGH, Dorothy M. (nee Frazier) 95, passed away November 3, 2011 at Oakwood Village in Springfield, Ohio. Dorothy was born on July 19, 1916 in Duxbury, Vermont and was the daughter of Rogers Walker Frazier and Christina (Hartman) Frazier. Her family later moved to Ohio, where they farmed in Logan and Champaign counties. Dorothy eventually moved to Columbus, where she graduated from West High School in 1934. She went on to graduate from Ohio State University's College of Education in 1938. Upon graduating, Dorothy began her teaching career as an elementary school teacher in Columbus, Ohio. She taught for several years, before taking a break from teaching to volunteer during WWII. From 1943-1945, Dorothy served with the American Red Cross, where she was attached to a US Air Force unit station in Italy. Upon her return from Italy, she enrolled in Ohio State University and earned her Master's in Education in 1946. In the early 1950s, Dorothy moved to Dayton, Ohio and was an elementary school teacher for the Dayton Public Schools. Throughout her career, she also taught in Knox and Greene counties, as well as in Battle Creek, Michigan, and at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio. Later, she became Director of Elementary Education for the Dayton region of the Ohio Department of Education and had 58 buildings under her supervision until her retirement in 1972. Though her dedication to education is evident, Dorothy's true passions in her life were her family and community. She was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Church in South Charleston, Ohio and was a leader both in her parish and in her village. She loved spending time with family and friends and frequently hosted large family reunions, holiday meals and family gatherings. During her final years. Dorothy was cared for and comforted by her sister-in-law Viola (Sally) Francis and enjoyed visits and flowers from loved ones around the country. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Eugene W. Kavanagh, who passed away a mere three weeks ago. Additionally, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her four brothers; Clarence J. Frazier, James Frazier, Walter E. Frazier and Milum M. Fraxier, and two sisters; Edith M. Cummings and Olive E. Metts. She also leaves three sisters-in-law; Monica Uphaus, Viola (Sally) Francis and Kathleen Kavanagh as well as one brother-in-law, Chuck Uphaus, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In keeping with her love of learning, Dorothy donated her body to medical science at Wright State University. A memorial mass will be celebrated by her nephew, Fr. Kevin Kavanagh, on Saturday, November 12 at 4:00 pm at St. Charles Borromeo Church in South Charleston. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Community Mercy Hospice, St. Charles Borromeo Church, or the charity of your choice.