Obituary: Elinor Cooke ‘Cookie’ Kavanaugh, 89, of Stratford

From Pistey Funeral Home

Elinor Cooke "Cookie" Kavanaugh, 89, went to be with the Lord on January 16th, 2017. She was the beloved wife of Ronald Kavanaugh Sr.

Elinor was born in Bridgeport, CT. on August 23rd, 1927 to the late Joseph E. and Mae (Baldwin) Cooke, later moving to Stratford where she lived until her death. She was predeceased by her son Ronald (Kav) Kavanaugh Jr., sisters Marion Truchon and Gertrude (Gigi) McGarry and brother George Cooke. She leaves to cherish wonderful memories of her son Patrick J. Kavanaugh and his fiancé Jean M. Fuller, grandchildren Shannon Kavanaugh, Cody Kavanaugh, Dani Nichols, Matt Kavanaugh and Kasey Kavanaugh, 6 great grandchildren, Jackson, Olivia, Sadie, Patrick, Brayden and Denton, many loving nieces and nephews, particularly niece Marlene Miller who she often referred to as "the daughter she never had".

As a young woman she was a member of a dance troupe for the USO, entertaining the troops during the war. A true "showman", she continued her dancing career at local venues in the 1950's and 1960's and various variety shows at St. James Church and St. Marks.

That love of entertaining in her golden years continued as director and member of "The Elderberrys", a group of seniors that perform, sing and dance for various convalescent homes. While raising her children, she worked for many years at Avco-Lycoming, but then she had a calling to fulfill a dream. She opened "Claudel's", a women's specialty clothing store, first in Huntington then moving to Bridgeport. She always had a love for fashion and was able to put that to wonderful use in her beloved store. She made so many wonderful friends in the 25 years she owned Claudel's. The "Golden Girls" as they were so appropriately called, still gathered for regular luncheon dates all around town.

Elinor was a faithful and devout Catholic and loved her church family as well. This carried her through many difficult times. Elinor was clear that she wanted her first and foremost legacy to be her love of family. She wished a life of love, happiness and peace to all that touched her life, and even those who did not. May she now rest in peace with the Lord.

Family and friends may call on Friday, January 20, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Pistey Funeral Home, 2155 Main Street, Stratford.

A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 10 a.m. at St. Mark Church, Stratford. Interment will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 1056 Daniels Farm Road, Trumbull. Those who so desire, may make contributions in her memory to St. Mark Church, 500 Wigwam La., Stratford, CT 06614.

To leave online condolences, visit Pistey Funeral Home here.

Image via Shutterstock