Barbara Cavanaugh

Barbara Jean Cavanaugh was a loving person who lived a life full of caring for others and being cared for. After an evening of listening to music with her children Barbara drifted off to sleep. Sometime early in the morning of August 10th, 2025, her mortal heart failed her. Barbara's eternal heart continues to live within those that she loved who loved her in return.

Named by her father, Barbara Jean, was the first of five children born to George Alfred and Jean Theresa Montgomery in Port Huron, Michigan on October 29th, 1949. At the time of her birth many babies had been lost to a virus in Port Huron. Thankfully she was spared from this illness and had the opportunity to live a life that brought comfort and joy to many people.

Growing up the daughter of a lifer in the U.S. Coast Guard, Barbara lived in many different places in Michigan, including Mackinac, Holland and Cheboygan. She had a Catholic upbringing that involved getting together with her large family on her mother's side and a close relationship with her paternal grandparents as well. Later her father was transferred to Connecticut, where she attended New London High School. Barbara loved the beach and had a strong affinity for light houses having spent her childhood always near one.

In 1966 she married Kenneth Cavanaugh. They moved to Miami, Florida where Ken was a student and started a family with the birth of their son Jeff. Barbara worked as a waitress and started community college herself. She was able to enroll in college even though her high school diploma was pending due to a credit she needed for typing. Even with the incredible responsibility of being newly married, maintaining a home as a young parent and working while starting school she managed to maintain a perfect GPA. When enrolling at future community colleges and eventually University she was never required to provide that high school diploma that she had not acquired again.

After a short time in Miami Barbara and her family moved to Michigan to live close to her parents and siblings who had returned to Michigan after her father's retirement from the Coastguard. Barbara lived in several places in Michigan and Chicago, where her son Brian was born. They settled in Adrian, Michigan in 1973 and Barbara began her career in accounting. Her younger children Sarah and Nick were born before leaving Adrian for Houston, Texas in 1981. After about a year Barbara moved to Austin and in 1986 moved to her home in South Austin where she remained for nearly 40 years.

As Barbara raised her children and continued her career, she never lost sight of her education. In 1986 she graduated from St. Edward's University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. An accomplishment that Barbara was very proud of.

Professionally, Barbara excelled as a bookkeeper and financial administrator, roles that allowed her to demonstrate her exceptional organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail. In Michigan she was employed by The Goddard Company as an accountant and by Goodwill as a controller. In Austin she continued her professional career as a controller, accountant and financial administrator with James F. Parker Interest, PJS of Texas, Hicks and Company and Pioneer Property Management. Early in her career a friend gave Barbara the piece of advice to, "never handle the same piece of paper twice" she took this to heart and made it a point to never put off something you can take care of immediately. She was committed to hard work and professionalism, and her career was an important part of her personal identity.

Barbara's money management skills extended to her personal life. Barbara budgeted, wrote down everything she spent money on and paid her bills immediately to avoid all unnecessary expenses. She managed to pay off her home early and save enough to support herself after retiring,

Even though Barbara always knew exactly what she spent on groceries she had a personal philosophy that you should never deny a person food if you have it. Her doors were open to the friends of her children, and she never complained about them eating snacks and cereal. They just couldn't expect the name brand. Kids could count on Kool Aid and ice pops in the summertime. Dinner was always at 6:30pm, her children living at home were expected to be there unless they were working or had shared their plans ahead of time. Friends were welcome. Many friends of both Barbara's and her children were routinely invited to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, that included regular attendees year after year and occasional additions as well. Many people enjoyed the generosity of Barbara's open doors and desire to help those she could.

She valued her Christian faith and though she was not a practicing Catholic as an adult she was a member of the Baptist church and had been baptized.

Barbara's absolute favorite thing to do was to read. She would read every day and would often have two or three books that she was reading at the same time. She would leave them in different places where she spent time instead of carrying them from one place in her house to another. There was always a book in her purse to read at work during lunch or anywhere, she might have a few minutes of downtime. The librarians all knew her and she would often check out books only to realize it was something she had already read.

When not reading, Barbara enjoyed doing latch hooks and embroidery. For exercise she would go swimming daily and walking when it was too cold to swim until she no longer could. Watching birds and squirls and sitting on her porch by her fishpond brought joy to her life.

There was also an adventuresome side to Barbara. She enjoyed riding motorcycles. On her 50th birthday she took a hot air ballon ride and on her 51st she went skydiving.

Her sister Rita was an integral part of her life. They traveled together and often lived together. Rita spent countless holidays and occasions with Barbara's family. She was a vital component to ensuring Barbara was able to return to her home and live out her life on her own terms after changes in her health that began early in 2022.

All of Barbara's children felt her immense love and support throughout their lives. She was always there for them. She valued time spent with her grandchildren and was fundamental in the upbringing of her older grandsons. The first question she asked her daughter on the evening before she passed was about her granddaughters. Her love and thoughts were always with them and they were all so fortunate to have her.

Barbara was proceeded in death by many people she cared for; her parents George and Jean, all of her aunts and uncle, including her special Aunt Margaret Bowen, stepmother Hilda Montgomery, sister Molly Allen, daughter in law Jennifer Cavanaugh, extended family Rosemary Kenney and dear friend Gary Brooks. Surviving family includes three sons Jeffery Cavanaugh, Brian Cavanaugh, Nicholas Cavanaugh, and a daughter Sarah Cavanaugh, son in law Brian Kenney. Grandchildren Alexander Szipocs V (Destiny Rollman) Steven Szipocs, Jean Kenney, Patricia Kenney and Brandon Cavanaugh. Brother George Montgomery (Laurie), sisters Susanne Buenrostro, Jacylyn Spafford and Rita Montgomery. Family friend and caretaker Amanda Ross, many other friends, extended family, nieces, nephews and cousins share our grief and warm memories.

All who would like to join her family in remembering Barbara are invited to a memorial service on October 18th, 2025, The Chapel at Harrell Funeral Home 4435 Frontier Trail Austin, TX 78745 at 2pm. Those unable to travel may join us virtually if they wish.