Mary Christine Cavanaugh

Mary Christine Cavanaugh, “Winuna Cistina” (First Born Girl) 90 of St. Michael, ND passed away on Friday, January 14, 2011 at Heartland Care Center, Devils Lake, ND in the loving care of her family and Mercy Hospice. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael beginning at 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Brian Moen celebrating the Mass. Mary will be laid to rest in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in the spring. Serving as Casket Bearers for Mary Christine will be Paul Cavanaugh, Marcus Curley, Elvis Demarce, Jacob Cavanaugh, Silas “Duke” Cavanaugh, Ralph Peoples, Scott Stone and Jonathan Stone. Honorary Bearers will be Cheryl (Brook) GoodIron, Myra Pearson and family, Linda Herman, Sheila Thompson, Janice and Carl McKay and family, Glen Wallace, Russell Wallace, Ramona Cannon and family, Ernestine Herman and family, Tony and Vina McDonald, Larry and Myrna Green, Marie Baker, Fr. Edward Sherman, Chris Anderson, Maureen and Perry Halsey, Cynthia and Zachary PoorBear and family, Vanessa Cavanaugh and family, George Cavanaugh, Walter Cavanaugh Sr. and family, Eileen Railing and family, Carol Lysne, Darin Kimmerly and family, Joseph Lawrence and family, Elliot BlackBird, Hermenia McKay and family, Pauline Wetzel, Kensie Baker, Chuck RedDay, George Coones, Frank Merrick and family, Carl Merrick, Sam and Marilyn Merrick, Merlin Knutson, Bob Charboneau and family, Darlene Wadsworth, Vincent GreyHorn and family, Delima Graywater, Andrea Graywater, Debbie Moore, Donny Belgarde, Pauline Graywater, Violet Nelson and family, all Seniors of the Spirit Lake Nation, Staff of Altru Hospital of Grand Forks and Mercy Hospital of Devils Lake and Ambulance Drivers of Grand Forks and Devils Lake. Music will be provided by the Spirit Lake Singers and Tony and Vina McDonald. Mary Christine was born on August 30, 1920 in Crary, ND to Joseph Court and Julia Merrick. She lived her life in St. Michael, ND until her death. She attended elementary school at St. Michael’s Little Flower and high school at Calvary Square in Fort Totten. She was a baptized and life-long member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Mary was united in marriage to Jesse Cavanaugh and they made their home in St. MIchael. She was a devoted wife and mother and worked hard to care for her family and home her whole life. Mary Christine had many hobbies including sewing, playing cards and going to rummage sales. But spending time with her grandchildren brought her much joy and happiness. Mary Christine is survived by her children, Herbie Cavanaugh, St. Michael; Roger Cavanaugh, Devils Lake; Jesse (Sherrie Thompson) Cavanaugh, St. Michael; Darlene Cavanaugh, St. Paul, MN; Ponchie (Terry) Halsey, St. Michael; Georgeline BlackHawk, St. Paul, MN; Delta Nelson, Minneapolis, MN; Carol Jean Cavanaugh, Devils Lake; thirty-two grandchildren; many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; sister, Catherine Howard; adopted sister, Alvina Jackson; many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jesse on January 6, 1985; daughters, Julie Cavanaugh and Harriet Cavanaugh; sons, Leonard Cavanaugh and Paul Thompson; grandchildren, Nevada Cavanaugh, Nicole Cavanaugh and Bendetta Ann Lovejoy.