Kathleen D.

Flynn Cavanaugh

Omaha — Kathleen Diane Flynn Cavanaugh, 87, of Omaha, formerly of O'Neill, died peacefully on the evening of Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha whith her family by her side.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler Mortuary in Omaha.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Omaha.

Because Kathleen donated her body to Creighton University Medical School, a funeral mass and burial will take place in O'Neill after her body is returned to the family.

Memorials may be made to O'Neill's St. Mary's Catholic Schools, The American Heart Association or a charity of your choice in Kathleen's name.

Kathleen was born May 8, 1935, in Council Bluffs, Iowa to her parents Kathryn (Hough) Flynn and Damion Ambrose Flynn. Her parents then raised her and her two younger brothers in Omaha. She attended St. John's Grade School on Creighton University's campus and received her early sacraments there. Her giving spirit comes full circle as she donated her body to Creighton University medical school. 

She was a graduate of Omaha Central High School and attended Omaha University where she was enrolled in the teacher's college when she met Joe Cavanaugh.  

Kathleen and Joe married in 1954 and moved to the Cavanaugh homestead south of O'Neill. They later moved into O'Neill and then to Inman. 

Kathleen held many different jobs in retail from selling Tupperware, to being department manager at different department stores, to being a real estate agent while finishing her associate degree. However her true life's work was raising her six children. 

She was a loyal, loving and caring woman often putting others before herself. A woman of great faith, Kathleen was active in St. Patrick's Parish, serving as a CCD teacher and as a parent volunteer in St. Mary's Schools in O'Neill. She was an active member of the Eagles Club while living in North Platte, and most recently, a proud member of the Lady Hibernians in Omaha. 

Over the years she enjoyed art, reading, dancing, rodeo and any activities her children and grandchildren were involved in.

Kathleen is survived by her two brothers John (Lynn) Flynn of Auburn and Jim (Marcie) Flynn of Omaha; her six children Sheamus Cavanaugh of Gresham, Colleen  (Chad) Bishop of Grand Island, Maureen (John) Ross of Omaha, Eileen Cavanaugh Bruce of Boise, Idaho, Noreen (Tony) Vega of Miami, FL and Kathleen (Patrick) Artz of Omaha; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was a maternal figure to numerous nieces and nephews and many "extra" kids. 

She was preceded in death by her infant son Shane, her parents, Joe Cavanaugh and many other beloved family members in Heaven.