Jean M. Kavanaugh

Jean M. Kavanaugh, 88, of Davenport, died Sunday, April 13, 2025 at the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House, Bettendorf.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Jean will celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking the following link: OLV Livestream Burial will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 until 6 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport with the rosary prayed at 6 p.m. that all are welcome to join. An additional visitation will be held Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass in the gathering space at church. Memorials may be made to Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Jean Marie Welzenbach was born on September 8, 1936 in Davenport, a daughter of Harold C. “Happy” and Geraldine C. (Russell) Welzenbach. She graduated from Immaculate Conception Academy in 1954. Jean was united in marriage to Gerald L. “Jerry” Kavanaugh on September 20, 1958 at the former St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Davenport. They have shared over 66 years of wonderful marriage.

Jean worked as an operator for AT&T before starting her family with Jerry. She was an incredible mother and enjoyed weekly Sunday dinners, sharing her cooking and baking talent with her family. Jean had a great love of classical music and was a longtime ticket holder of the QC Symphony. She spent over 40 years as the organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, playing for all their liturgical events and celebrations. Jean also enjoyed knitting and completing jigsaw and crossword puzzles.

Those left to honor her memory are her husband, Jerry, Davenport; children: Erin (Marvin) Smith, St. Louis, Missouri, Kathleen (Pat) Kilfoy, Shawn Kavanaugh, and Colleen (Kevin) Kahley, all of Davenport; grandchildren: Drake (Alicia) Smith, Connor (Mikayla) Kavanaugh, Brendan Kavanaugh, Liam Kavanaugh, Caitlin Kavanaugh, Carter Kilfoy, Alexander Kilfoy, James Kavanaugh, Caleb Kahley, Kersten Kahley, and Carson Kahley; great-grandchildren: Elizabeth, Vivian, Morgan, Davis, Carlie; siblings: William (Margaret) Welzenbach, and Dennis (Mary Beth) Welzenbach, Prairie Village, Kansas, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jean was preceded in death by her son, Kevin Kavanaugh; her parents, and brothers, John and Donald Welzenbach.

The Kavanaugh family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House for all the loving and compassionate care shared with Jean.