Nancy Cavanagh

1943 - 2026

Nancy Jane Cavanagh, born in Brooklyn, New York on March 12, 1943, passed away on January 22, 2026. Adventurous and generous, Nancy lived her life to the fullest. She was born to Harold and Rose DeSoye, one of six children, and grew up in Floral Park, New York. She married Joseph Cavanagh on June 19, 1965. Nancy and Joe had three children and lived with their family first in Lansing, Michigan, and then Arlington Heights, Illinois; Brussels, Belgium; Plantation, Florida; Zurich, Switzerland; and Austin, Texas.
Nancy brought energy and joy to every aspect of life. She enjoyed a long career as a Registered Nurse in home health and nursing administration, retiring in 2008 in Austin, Texas. Despite the loss of her beloved husband, Joe, during their early years in Austin, Nancy enjoyed a full life in retirement, traveling and socializing with friends and family, volunteering for social organizations and her church, attending plays, classes and public events at the University of Texas and elsewhere in Austin, reading the papers and talking politics, and visiting her three children and seven grandchildren. She was the proud mother of Kathleen Wilson, Sheila Olmstead, and Michael Cavanagh. She was also a cherished sister to Patricia O'Brien, Barbara O'Malley, Paul DeSoye, John DeSoye, and Thomas DeSoye. She loved spending time with her grandchildren Ryan Wilson, Hannah Wilson, Brandon Cavanagh, Adrienna Cavanagh, Skye Olmstead, River Olmstead, and Laurel Olmstead.
Remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Cavanagh, her parents, Harold and Rose DeSoye, and her brother, Thomas DeSoye. She is survived and will be deeply missed by her children Sheila (Todd) Olmstead, Kathleen (Christopher) Wilson, and Michael Cavanagh; her siblings Pat, Barbara, Paul and Jack; and her grandchildren Ryan, Hannah, Brandon, Adrienna, Skye, River, and Laurel.
We are planning a small memorial gathering in New Jersey for friends and family in the Spring.