Patsy Sue Cavin

A wonderful woman has entered heavenly peace.

Patsy Sue (Patti) Cavin, 79, beloved wife, mother, teacher, pianist, and choral conductor passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 12th. She was born December 23, 1945, at the Naval Dispensary in Babbitt, Nevada to Floyd Richard (Dick) Owens, Torpedoman 2/c USN, and Mary Francis (Sue) Owens. Patti is survived by her husband of 55 years, William (Bill) Cavin, son Daniel of Albuquerque, daughter Cristina Johnson and her husband Joshua and their son William of St. Joseph, Missouri. Her brother, Richard (Rick) Owens and wife Amy reside in Rio Rancho, NM.

Patti grew up in Hawthorne, Nevada, and earned degrees in elementary education and music from Pasadena City College and California State College at Los Angeles. Patti and Bill married in 1970 and eventually settled in Albuquerque. They delighted in the birth of Dan in 1976 and Tina in 1979.

Before their children entered school, Patti devoted herself as a stay-at-home mother and taught private piano lessons. During this time she and Bill (but mostly Patti!) also cared for a constant stream of newborn babies pending placement by Chaparral adoption agency.

Patti was a gifted and devoted classroom and choral teacher, instilling a love of learning and music in hundreds of children, most notably at Holy Ghost Elementary School and St. Pius X High School. Her singers brought music to hundreds of school Masses and special events, and she surely guided many young lives toward a bright future.

Patti was a Catholic woman of deep faith and devotion to family. One of the highlights of her life was travelling to Italy to view the Shroud of Turin when it was last displayed in 2015, cementing her belief that it is truly the burial cloth of Christ. Her love and commitment to family always came first, and her many talents greatly complemented her role as wife and mother.

Sadly, Patti suffered greatly from numerous chronic medical conditions most of her life, and they worsened with advancing age. She steadfastly faced each challenge with dignity and courage, determined not to allow health issues to dominate her life.

The life she and Bill shared was brightened by Dan and Tina, grandson Will, many household pets, cooking and gardening, birds and wildlife, mountains and valleys, and soaring Cathedrals.

Remembering her will forever fill our hearts with joy.