Mrs. Olive A. Kavanaugh

Olive A. Kavanaugh, 95, of Chateaugay, died Monday, November 28, 2022 at CVPH in Plattsburgh with her son and daughter-in-law by her side. Born on Sunset Road in Lyon Mountain on November 27, 1927, she was the daughter of Clarence and Addie (Doody) Gillett. They predeceased her. She spent the first several years of her life living at the Owly Out when it was a boarding house, with her Uncle Lyle and Aunt Eleanor Gillett, before moving to Chateaugay with her grandmother, Alice Gillett and her other uncle, Mort Gillett. She graduated from Chateaugay High School. She worked at the Chateaugay Slipper Factory and Chic Toggs before marrying Francis D. Kavanaugh on September 27, 1952. He predeceased her on January 6, 2008. After her marriage, she was a homemaker dedicated to raising her children, and she cared for her eldest daughter, Karen, until Karen’s death in 2019. Mrs. Kavanaugh was a member of the Chateaugay American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the First Presbyterian Church of Chateaugay, and a very active member of the Burke Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. In her younger years, she was a member of several bowling leagues, traveling the state for competitions. She loved going to bingo several times a week, and she enjoyed puzzles, reading romance novels, and collecting anything with a cardinal on it. She was beloved and cherished by her grandchildren, and she loved going to watch her granddaughters’ sporting events and concerts at school. Olive was an exceptionally kind and funny woman, whose sense of humor shocked even those closest to her. Olive is survived by two sons, Jim (Brenda) Kavanaugh of Henrietta and David (Lisa) Kavanaugh of Plattsburgh; a daughter, Patti Robertson (Rob Stout) of Chateaugay; eight grandchildren: Gary (Tiffany) Nye, Rob (Krissy) and Jill Kavanaugh, Taylor Robertson (Brandon LaShomb), Cammi and Chloe Champagne, and Alex and Noah Stout; four great-grandchildren: Shaelyn Nye, Josie and James Kavanaugh, and Samuel LaShomb; three brothers: Kimball (Alice) Gillette, Donald (Nancy) Gillette, and Jeff (Lucy) Gillette; a sister, Barbara (Leon) Miller; and a sister-in-law, Anne Gillette. She is also survived by her friend, Veronica Miller. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Karen Kavanaugh; a sister, Ida Wilson; and a brother, Clarence “Jr” Gillette. There will be no calling hours. A Celebration of Olive’s life will be held at a later date. Burial will take place in the spring at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Chateaugay. Donations in Olive’s memory may be made to the Special Olympics and the Chateaugay Fire Department.

Mrs. Olive A. Kavanaugh

November 27, 1927 - November 28, 2022