Helena E. Cavanagh Obituary

Helena Elmire (Nadeau) Cavanagh, 95, of Johnston, Rhode Island, passed into eternal life on June 15th, 2018. Born in Providence, the eldest daughter of George and Helen (Dufrense) Nadeau, she worked as a bookkeeper and married Paul Augustine Cavanagh after WWII. The mother of eight children and three foster children, she devoted her life to family and united her will with God. A member of the Rosary and Altar Society, she served St. Philip Parish, taught CCD and volunteered at numerous charities including Amos House and Hospice. Together with her husband Paul, she lived her faith with zeal and cared for others with a generous spirit. Helena exemplified her favorite saying, “Do the best you can and the Angels can’t do better.” She loved to read, cook, garden and rejoice in the blessings of a large family.
She is survived by her sisters Lorraine Ledlie, Doris and her husband Robert Oberg, her brother Paul Nadeau and his wife Merriel, as well as her children and their spouses: Denise and Chris Baxter, Brian and Kathy Cavanagh, Steven and Martha Cavanagh, Peter and Theresa Cavanagh, Mark and Robin Cavanagh, Paula and William Charland, Jane Cavanagh, Claire and Stephen Gilson, John and Collette Demarais, and Robert Migneault. Helena leaves behind thirty-seven grandchildren and forty-nine great-grandchildren who will miss her love and big hugs.
Please join the family for a Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Helena’s life at St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Pike, Greenville on Monday, June 18th, at 11:00 AM. The wake and burial are private.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Catholic Relief Services, 228 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, Maryland 21201.