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Rosemary Cavanaugh Obituary
Ankeny
Rosemary Cavanaugh, 80, of Ankeny, IA died unexpectedly on May 4th, 2015.
Visitation will be held 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 7 at Ankeny Memorial Chapel (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 8 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, with burial to follow at Ankeny Memorial Gardens.
Rosemary was born on September 13, 1934 to Harry and Mabel Jackson of Madrid, IA. She attended Madrid Schools, and graduated from Drake University in 1956 with a degree in Music Education. Rosemary taught music at Grand Junction and Woodward before marrying Charles Cavanaugh of Madrid in 1958. The couple moved to Ankeny in 1962. She began teaching music in the Ankeny School System in 1964, retiring from teaching in 1991.
Rosemary's life revolved around music, her family and friends she made through the Perky Penguins. She had a gift for remembering nearly every music student she taught through the years, often identifying them by the instrument they played before she thought of their name. Over the years she enjoyed playing her trumpet with various musical groups, including the Des Moines Community Orchestra. She was involved with the music ministry at her church, and took special pride in sharing her love of music with her family and friends through mini concerts and impromptu recitals whenever possible.
She is survived by her husband, Charles of Ankeny; son Michael and his wife Dawn of Ankeny; granddaughter Nicole of Ankeny and grandson Marcus of San Francisco. She is also survived by her brother and his wife, Reverend Harvey and Shirley Jackson of Lake Park, ND. Rosemary was preceded in death by her parents.
Online at www.MemorialServicesOfIowa.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Rosemary Cavanaugh
Nancy Sorlie
October 8, 2015
God Bless You, Rosemary, I will always remember your enthuisiasm for music and the sweetness of your soul!
Sincerely,
Nancy Sorlie
May 14, 2015
You were loved by the AHS class of 1970. Thank you for teaching us to love music. Your commitment and devotion to us went beyond...praying your family will wrap themselves in the warm memories of you.
Cindy Murray
Beth Koehn
May 11, 2015
She had an extraordinary gift of music. She taught our elementary school music classes in 1989 and taught me how to play my flute and read music. A sweet lady with tons of patience! Heaven has gained an incredible angel!
May 7, 2015
Chuck this is Jody Brown Jack Browns daughter I am so sorry for your loss your family are in my prayers
Jody Brown
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May 7, 2015
Chuck, this is Jack daughter Jody I am so sorry for your loss, you and your family are in my prayers
Joyce Heston
May 7, 2015
My brothers and sisters all had Mrs. C for music and loved her. We still remember many of the songs we sang in music and chorus and harmonize when singing Christmas carols. She had a beautiful gift of sharing music that has lasted many years.
Jim and Dee Good
May 7, 2015
I'm from the high school class of 1970. I had Mrs. C in chorus in Jr High and High School. She was the best teacher and person ever. She will be missed a lot. My sympathy goes out to the entire Cavanaugh family. Bye Mrs. C.
May 6, 2015
May she be first chair in the big orchestra up there.
Lynn Treangen
May 6, 2015
I'm so sorry for your loss, Cavanaugh family. It's clear Rosemary made quite an impact on so many lives in reading these comments. Who can ask for more than to have people remember you in such a positive way?
Mona Abrahamson
May 6, 2015
We will miss Rosemary's friendly chats with us at Panera. Rosemary was a gifted craftsperson, too!
Patty Brinkman - Nagi
May 6, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the Cavanaugh Family. Mrs. Cavanaugh
was my very first music teacher. She was an amazing lady and was loved and respected by many. God Bless her. Class of 1975
Marcia Walljasper
May 6, 2015
How I will miss seeing you in Panara Bread having coffee with your friends. I will always remember the fun we had playing together in the Des Moines Community Orchestra back in the 80's when the trumpets were always drowning me out!!!
Jill Burkard Garbs
May 6, 2015
Mrs. Cavanaugh encouraged me to major in music in college, and I have always been grateful. I have continued to sing in college, community, and church choirs since graduating from high school over 45 years ago. What better legacy can any of us leave but a life filled with music? Thank you, Mrs. Cavanaugh.
Sharon Hoskinson
May 6, 2015
I have many fond memories of Rosemary. She was my favorite teacher at Woodward. A lot of my love for music came from having her as my teacher. Condolences to her family. She was special.
Jason Woods
May 6, 2015
My first trumpet teacher and introduced me to a life long love of music. Thank you Mrs. Cavanaugh.
Jami Rater
May 6, 2015
It's 1978. I'm in 5th grade at East Elementary. I am a skinny, gangly little girl whose only dream in life is to be a gymnast or an ice skater. My brothers are all phenomenal at sports, my sister has a beautiful voice and I am nothing special. I decided I thought I might like to try an instrument. I was scared. I loved music, but didn't think I'd ever be able to catch on to playing an instrument, but I gave it a shot. I went to this tiny little room and met with this tiny little lady with the tiniest feet I had ever seen. She was so bubbly and encouraging. She had me try a clarinet mouthpiece, a trumpet, and lastly, the flute. She said I was born to play the flute...it was a perfect fit! My self-esteem and love of music were born that day. So much so, that it became my passion from that point on. She accompanied me to "You've Got A Friend" for the 6th grade talent show and I was SO proud. I called upon her many years later when I was asked to play for my cousin's wedding. I had not "played" or read music since high school. I nervously called her to ask for her help. She, of course, said "Come on over!". I showed up with my old flute in hand and she sat down at her piano in her living room and started playing. She heard that the tone was not the best on my flute...it had not been serviced since 1987-ish, so she went and got hers for me to use. I started to play "Air" by Bach. She played a few measures and then stopped and looked at me. I thought she was thinking she had bit off more than she could chew in trying to resurrect my skills. She turned, looked at me, and said "You DON'T need me...you play BEAUTIFULLY, Jami!" I started crying immediately. She always knew how to give me the confidence I needed and she pulled no punches. I was on top of the world when I left her home that evening. I felt so proud and nostalgic and emotional. She ALWAYS recognized me over the years around town and your tribute to her couldn't have been more on the spot...she almost always recognized you by the instrument you played before she recalled your name. I am so very sad to hear of her untimely passing, and I KNOW she is directing and playing music in Heaven, chewing her gum and laughing that hearty laugh that she always had. You were my first true music mentor and I could never thank you enough for instilling in me the confidence that I needed as that skinny, awkward little girl. Flute/Piccolo came to be the ONLY thing I was ever good at all thru my school years and is still very much a part of me to this day. I love you, Mrs. C. and I'll see you again someday...♥
~ Jami "Rater" Martin
Peggy Midgorden
May 6, 2015
Mrs. Cavanaugh was such a sweet lady and I loved having her for music. I can picture her in Heaven surrounded by music and giving lessons.
Sharon Suddeth
May 6, 2015
Sending love to Chuck and the whole family, now and in the days to come. My heart is so sad for you. I wish you comfort and hope happy memories will help you as you grieve. Rosemary was such a bubbly woman, and gave so much to all of us who were lucky enough to have her teach us. A small but feisty lady who will be remembered by many. ...
Julie Treangen Silver
May 6, 2015
Rosmary was a wonderful person and will be dearly missed. My heart weeps for you Chuck!
Much Love, Juliie
May 6, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you Chuck and your family.
All of our three girls had her as their first music teacher and loved her very much. We have good memories of her.
Larry and Margret Hollingworth, St. Louis, Missouri
Galatians 6:6; Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.
Mark Hampton
May 6, 2015
Mrs. Cavanaugh's dedication to her students and music was unparalleled. She gave me a great gift and that was an appreciation of how music can add depth and texture to your life...for that I am eternally grateful.
I hope that her family finds solace in the knowledge that she touched so many lives in a positive manner and her legacy will live through the students she taught over the years.
Denise Jones & Enes Logli
May 6, 2015
Chuck & family,
Rosemary was such a special & beloved lady to all of her former students, fellow teachyers & everyone who knew her...so full of smiles & energy & music & sunshine & enthusiasm! Mom & I had the delightful pleasure of attending a lovely recital for Nicole a couple years ago. I now treasure that memory, along with the night Rosie & I enjoyed Scott Smith's trio at Chuck's & our last class reunion when we surprised her by singing an old chorus song acapella. You have all been in our thoughts n prayers.
John Wood
May 6, 2015
Rosemary, I still have the brushes for my drum. You will be missed.
Paula Midgorden
May 6, 2015
Mrs. Cavanaugh was such a bright spot in my life. So passionate and positive. Deeply sorry for your loss.
Joan Quinlin
May 6, 2015
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time with your lose. She was a great Lady and will be missed.
Joan and Tom Quinlin
Kelli Rater-Wright
May 6, 2015
Mrs. Cavanaugh was a very special lady to me & my family. She had me and all of my siblings. After she retired, I would see her around town, and she always remembered me & my family. I will miss her so very much.
John and Barb
May 5, 2015
Keeping you all in our prayers. Rosemary was a very special woman, and she will be missed.
Rosemary Hutton Taylor
May 5, 2015
Mrs. Cavanaugh was as special lady and teacher. She allowed me to participate in chorus even though I could not sing or even hum in tune. I think she made an exception for me because of what we had in common, our name, Rosemary.
Colleen McKenna Johnston
May 5, 2015
Our loss is Heaven's gain. There is a new angel, trumpeting at the throne in His kingdom.
My sincere condolences and love to Chuck, Mike & Dawn, and all the family. I have loved Mrs. C. since the day she allowed me to join Chorus at AHS in 1969. How lucky I was to eventually teach with her at Parkview all those years later. She was a gem.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Terri Danilson
May 5, 2015
Thinking of you all at this very difficult time. Wish there were words to help in this situation, but I know there are none to ease your shocking loss. I do hope it helps to know how much others care and are holding your family in their prayers. I will miss Aunt Rosemary, though I didn't see her often. Our family has lost a little more of the glue that holds us together. Love to you all!
May 5, 2015
Mike and Dawn,
Rosemary was a wonderful lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you, and especially praying for comfort for Chuck. Ray & Dorothy
Anna Eggland
May 5, 2015
Rosemary was a wonderful person and musician. She will be greatly missed by her Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Middle School Choir.
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