Barbara Kavanaugh

Barbara Jane Haas Kavanaugh Died peacefully in her sleep on a clear winter day the morning of 20 January, 2011 in Petaluma, California. A third generation San Franciscan, Barbara was born on 3 November, 1914, and resided continuously in San Francisco until 2004 when she moved to an independent living facility in Petaluma, CA. She was the daughter of Rueben Haas and Corinne Madison Haas, also natives of San Francisco. Her brother, Madison Haas passed away in September, 2010. She graduated from the Sarah Dix Hamlin School in 1933, excelling as a tap center on the basketball team. In 1939, Barbara married Patrick Thomas Kavanaugh, a native of Grandique, Nova Scotia, Canada who immigrated to San Francisco in 1925. They were married until his passing in 1986. Barbara and Pat raised three children, Michael Kavanaugh of Oakland CA, John Kavanaugh of New York City, and Babs Kavanaugh of Petaluma, CA. When her last child left home, she began a career in commercial sales, first at Robert Kirk's clothing store and later as a sales person at Books, Inc, at the Laurel Village store on California Street where she continued working until her late 80s. She became the go-to person for many clients of Books, Inc. A woman of relatively few words but an avid reader, she still charmed many, and developed a dedicated group of clients and friends who often sought her suggestions on books. Aside from family, her deepest passion was the game of bridge. She had a knack for the cards, a keen memory, and a competitive spirit that kept her focused on the game until two weeks before she died. She maintained a masters playing level, and perhaps more significantly, made many friends through her card play and her infectious spirit. She had a fondness for Dungeness crab cakes, shrimp with avocado and bourbon at the appropriate hour. She is survived by her three children, seven grand children (Lisa Kavanaugh Wood of Boston,MA, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones of Venice, CA, Deanna Lloyd of Lotus, CA, Blair Witte of Berkeley, CA, Gabriella Witte of Santa Barbara, CA, Kelsey James-Kavanaugh and Dylan James-Kavanaugh of Oakland), and two great grand children, (Carter and Isabella Wood of Boston, MA). She was deeply loved by all including her two daughters-in-law (Joan Kavanaugh of New York City, Carol James of Oakland), and son-in-law, (Mike Witte of Petaluma). She lived life with quiet grace, enjoyed the company of her family, including her first cousins, Nancy Curran of San Francisco and Janet Curran Dittoe, of San Francisco (recently deceased). Barbara touched many lives, and will be deeply and fondly remembered for her resilience, humor, elegance, sophistication, love of music, her infectious laugh, an ability to listen deeply, and for her competitive spirit in all games including dominoes, gin rummy, and bridge. She missed her calling as a participant in the TV game show Jeopardy, but hardly ever missed an episode. A memorial celebration of her life will be held in Petaluma in April. For those who wish to remember her through donations, please consider donating to the Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (www.rfbd.org) in her honor. Cards or remembrances can be sent to Babs Kavanaugh at 520 8th Street, Petaluma, CA, 94952 or by email at BKConsult@comcast.net.