Joan M Cavanaugh

Joan M. Cavanaugh, 89, of Washington, DC, and most recently Bethesda, Maryland, died peacefully on September 19, 2024. Joan was born October 6, 1934, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Edward and Eleanor (nee Crosby) McNichol. She grew up in Philadelphia and graduated high school from the Sacred Heart Academy.

She was married for 61 years to Gordon A. Cavanaugh, who died in 2021. She is survived by her four children: Gordon Cavanaugh (Anne Aganon), Ann Jolly, Sean Cavanaugh (Rima Cohen), and Barbara Phillips (Steve Phillips). She is also survived by her grandchildren Anna Grinshpun (Alex Grinshpun), William Jolly (Alyssa Curtis), Samantha Phillips, Ava Cavanaugh, and James Phillips. Also surviving her are her brother, George McNichol, and sister, Barbara Tevebaugh.

After marrying and having four children, she returned to school and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Maryland, University College. A lifelong learner, she later earned a masters degree in mathematics from The George Washington University at the age of 70.

Joan was part of an early generation of women who trained in computer science. She worked for many years as a computer programmer at several organizations, including Westat and The George Washington University, and as an independent contractor. After retiring, she volunteered teaching seniors how to use their home computers at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial branch of the DC Public Library.

When not raising children, studying, or working, Joan spent time with her family and a small circle of lifelong friends. She also enjoyed traveling and telling stories. Her stories evolved over time, her sense of humor matched only by her refusal to be constrained by facts. (It was a rule of thumb in the family to cut by at least half any number she included in a story.) In the end, she died peacefully, contentedly, and on her own terms, much as she had lived.