Wilma J. Cavanaugh

Wilma Jean (Turner) Cavanaugh, 84, a loving homemaker who was a longtime resident of Palm Beach County since moving here in 1955, died August 13, 2011 at the Noreen McKeen Residence in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Mrs. Cavanaugh was born in Paducah, Kentucky as the oldest sister of a family of seven. She moved to Florida with her husband and three small children where she helped get the family cabinet business off the ground in Ft. Lauderdale before relocating to the Boynton Beach area. She worked as a bus driver for the School District of Palm Beach County and also operated her own clothing store before devoting her life to her family.

Wilma was a devoted church member at Calvary Temple and Bethel Temple Assemblies of God and was actively involved in choir and various church and social activities.

Mrs. Cavanaugh was also a legendary cook and was often referred to as the “Julia Child” of the South. She compiled a cookbook of Southern favorites, which consisted of the recipes she collected and perfected over the years, along with those of her family and friends. Every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas her home would be filled with the pastries, cakes, cookies, and the hand-made candies she loved to make as gifts.

Her husband of 66 years, Freeman Cavanaugh, died in November 2002 also in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her devotion and love for her husband was ever lasting as she often reminisced about their time together and the family of five boys and one girl they raised.

Survivors include five children: David (Rachael) of West Palm Beach, Daniel (Angela) of West Palm Beach, Kim of Lake Worth, Pat (Christy) of Doylsetown, PA, and Karyn (Keith) Archbold of Lake Worth; eight grand children, nine great grand children and one great-great grandchild. Wilma was preceded in death by another child, Randy, who passed away in 1989.

The Cavanaugh family would like to acknowledge and thank the Noreen McKeen Residence for their devotion and care of our mother in her final days.

Mom, we will miss you very much and our lasting memory of your kind hearted nurturing care, your phenomenal gift for laughter, and the devotion you showed to your family will never be forgotten. Say hi to Dad for us when you see him in Heaven.

Love you Mom,

Your Family