Eunice Lucile (Gatons) Cavanaugh age 88, died peacefully, surrounded by family on March 27, 2021. She was born in Springfield, Illinois to Frank Gatons and Ardis (Brooking) Gatons. She is predeceased by her parents, and her siblings Delores Kowalski and Herbert Gatons. She loved being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by six children: John (Patricia) Cavanaugh, Susan Cavanaugh, Wesley (Susan) Cavanaugh, Cary (Gary) Zahrbock, Jan Cavanaugh, James (Julia Ratti) Cavanaugh, her grandchildren: Elizabeth (Brent) Bellinger, Ryan (Olga Kuznetsova) Cavanaugh, Tasha (Mark) Dreadon and Aaron Cavanaugh-Broad, her great-grandchildren: Rowan, Charlie and Ilya, Lev, and many other loving friends and relatives.

 

After spending most of her life in South Dakota, she recently moved to Minneapolis to be closer to family. She had careers as a librarian, restauranteur, mental health therapist, newspaper columnist and author. Eunice enjoyed people, music, learning, numerous book clubs, and traveling. She positively touched lives wherever she went.

 

A virtual memorial service will be held May 8, 2021, at 3 pm Central time. A link will follow soon. No flowers, please. Memorials may be directed to your local hospice, National Alliance on Mental Illness, or Augustana Library Associates.