Cover photo for Susan Mary Kavanagh's Obituary
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In Memory Of
Susan Mary Kavanagh
1951 2023

Susan Mary Kavanagh

December 8, 1951 — July 1, 2023

Susan Kavanagh (Guilfoyle), 71, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away at her home on Saturday July 1, 2023, with her daughters Molly and Alison, and longtime best friend Cindy Shay by her side.

Susan Mary Guilfoyle was born on December 8, 1951, in Overland Park Kansas to Mary Jo and Pat Guilfoyle. She graduated from Shawnee Mission South in 1969 and went on to Pittsburg State University where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology and minored in fine art. Susan Guilfoyle and Dennis Kavanagh married in 1974. Together they had three children: Brian, Molly, and Alison Jo. Susan remained dedicated to her family life in Pittsburg until her retirement in 2006 from the State of Kansas.
Following her retirement, Susan returned to Overland Park to start a fulfilling second career as a real estate agent. During this time, she incorporated her love of architecture and interior design. She created many enduring friendships through her real estate career and enjoyed happy hours with friends and colleagues.
Always willing to spend time with others; Susan was known to her friends and family as a kind, compassionate, funny, and stylish woman. She was valued by her friends as a wonderful listener, green thumb and admirer of the arts and all things beautiful. She enjoyed the morning sunshine with a cup of coffee and her evenings with a glass of wine. To her adoring grandchildren, she was affectionately known as Nana, their charming grandmother with a beautiful and inviting home and garden.

She was preceded in death by her son, Brian Kavanagh, and her parents Mary Jo and Pat Guilfoyle.

Susan is survived by her children, Molly Kavanagh and her husband Justin Finn, Alison Kavanagh and her husband Mike Stallings, and daughter-in-law, Jessica Kavanagh. Susan was a loving and devoted Nana and is survived by her nine grandchildren, Meryn, Evie, Daniel, Eleanor Jo, Birdie, Margaret, Poppy, Katherine & Jack; and a loving sister to her siblings, Matt Guilfoyle and his wife Diane, Pat Guilfoyle and his wife Liz, Tom Guilfoyle, Nancy Griffin, Janet Bauer, Meg Frey and her husband Brian.

A rosary will be prayed in Susan's honor at 2:00 pm at Cure of Ars Catholic Church, 9401 Mission Rd, Leawood, KS, directly followed by a memorial mass at 2:30 pm on Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

As a tribute to Susan's love of flowers, contributions can be made to: Bergamot & Ivy at www.bergamotandivy.com or by calling 816-561-5599. Alternatively, the family has also created The Kavanagh Family Scholarship for the Arts. Checks can be made payable to The Kavanagh Family Scholarship for the Arts c/o Vetlinks.org and mailed to 10410 Maple Dr, Overland Park, KS 66207, or at www.vetlinks.org





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