The Sachem Central School District was saddened to learn about the passing of Mary Cavanaugh, the first principal of Samoset Middle School, and a longtime district employee.
A funeral mass will be held on Monday, Aug. 10 at St. Anthony’s in Rocky Point at 9:30 a.m.
The following info was posted in her obituary on Newsday:
Cavanaugh was born on Nov. 9, 1953. She loved travel, gardening, crocheting, her dogs, reading, British television, writing and sheep. Above all, Mary was about family – gathering us all together for holidays and special events: baking her own breads, pies and cookies; preserving jams and jellies and creating fabulous meals which we shared with love and gales of laughter. Mary never let life’s challenges get her down. Starting her career in the Sachem School district as an assistant in a Special Ed. classroom, she earned her certificate and a position as a Special Ed. teacher, and when excessed, went on to earn certifications, degrees and positions in Art, Business and Administration (as well as pyrotechnic engineer for Grucci Fireworks), finally serving as the inaugural Principal of Samoset Middle School. Her reputation for being fair and kind to students, parents, teachers and fellow administrators lives on. Mary will be sorely missed by the countless family members, friends and ‘sistas’ she has left behind. Our lives have all been enriched immeasurably by touching hers – her love and courage will continue to inspire us until we meet again.
Beloved mother of Trisha (Kris) and Steven (Jennifer) Winkelmeyer, and loving grandmother to Erin, Kristopher and Leah. Much loved sister of Jeanne (Jerome) Carroll and Margaret (Will) Smith, favorite aunt of Katie, Jamie, Zach, Jon, Jenny and Molly and adored cousin of the Cavanaugh, Raad, Garcia, Smith, Robilliard and Johnson families.