MaryAnn Cavanaugh

MaryAnn Cavanaugh of rural St. Michael, ND passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017 at her home surrounded by her loving family.  Visitation for MaryAnn will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael will leave on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. from the City Plaza.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, January 27th at 10:00 a.m. with Father Charles Leute, Father Paul Schuster and Father Brian Moen con-celebrating the Mass. MaryAnn will be laid to rest in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in the spring.  MaryAnn Cavanaugh- Mrs. Herman G. Cavanaugh   MaryAnn Cavanaugh, age 83, our loving Wife, Mom, Grandma, and Grandma Great left us to be with our family members in heaven on January 20, 2017 from our home in St. Michael, ND. MaryAnn was born November 1, 1933 in Ft. Totten, ND, the daughter of Daniel Greene Sr. and Lillian Lajimodiere. She grew up close to her Granny, Grandma and family at EastEnd by the Warwick area and lived various areas on Spirit Lake with her Father while her mother recovered from tuberculosis many years.   She attended school at the St. Michael’s Catholic Indian Mission Boarding School, Ft. Totten Calvary Square and Ft. Totten School.  She was married August 30, 1951 to Herman G. “Cap” Cavanaugh. While her husband was serving in Korea, MaryAnn worked with TB patient care at the San Haven Hospital, Dunseith, ND and Sioux San Hospital in Rapid City, SD.  She also lived in Sioux Falls with her cousin Cena working and biding time until her husband would return.  On “Cap’s” return they made their home in rural St. Michael area while working their jobs they also managed their farm/ranch.  MaryAnn attended and completed her Licensed Practical Nursing at Lake Region College. She worked at Mercy Hospital many years and also served as one of the first in- home dialysis nurses in the State of ND, Her extreme efforts to make it to her patient during a bad winter blizzard made the news in 1987. Following her nursing years she then started her 40 year career as the WIC Director for the Spirit Lake Tribe, retiring in 2012. During these years of school and working Cap and MaryAnn celebrated the birth of their five children Peggy Cavanaugh-(Earl Bullhead) of St. Michael, ND; Kelly Reitz, (Eric), Warwick, ND; Noreen Cavanaugh; Roderick Cavanaugh (Michelle), Sheyenne, ND; and Kevin Scott Cavanaugh.  MaryAnn was a dedicated contributor to her community, church and her Tribes growth and development. She was very active in many National, State and Local forums which aided in bettering the lives of our people and our communities.  She belonged and was a member of many organizations which were a part of influencing change, improvement of services and accountability to the people.  In 1984 she was one of the first Native American Women to run for House of Representatives for ND legislature. She was a member for many years of numerous National, State, local and tribal organizations and committees representing Spirit Lake Tribe and her community and church interests. She is noted for her leadership and her hard work in partnership with many others in the founding and development of the Tribes first Head Start program, Little Hoop College, planning and building of the educational system of the Tribe including the St. Michael Tribal School, and the building of the TateTopa Four Winds School.   She was a part of developing WIC services with the State of ND for the Tribe over her 40 yrs as the Director.  As a sideline to her many adventures in community work she was a 4-H group advisor, taught catechism at St. Michael Catholic Church for over 30 years helping many students with their preparing for their 1st communion and confirmation, many Christmas plays, Bazaars and activities for children with the church.  MaryAnn and Cap built and ran their business named Cap’s South Shore along Highway 57 where the current Spirit Lake Casino is located. Together they established a café, catering service, convenience store, service station, shop and wrecker service for over 15 years until the flooding took over the business.  They then moved some of their mechanic services, tire repair and wrecker service to their home garage.  MaryAnn loved her flower gardening especially her Roses. She loved all plants and flowers, growing many beautiful trees and gardens.  Her and Cap enjoyed traveling with their friends Wayne and Addie Trottier, friends/family Mary LaFountaine and her twin sister Martha Mauer including many outings with their children and grandchildren to give them adventure and let them learn of many other places of history and fun.  Their most exciting trip was to Mexico and the Bahamas.    MaryAnn was a teacher of prayer to all.  She could not emphasize enough the importance and feeling of comfort & hope prayer gives us.  Praying the Rosary daily was a timed practiced each day with an entire set of evening prayers said for everyone they could name and all those who were ill and suffering in any way.   Many have shared how she was there for them thru many challenges in their lives and offering advice and support to help them. MaryAnn is survived by her husband Herman “Cap”, her children Peggy, Kelly and Rod. Grandchildren Inila Bullhead (Dylan), Amorette Cruz (Gabriel), Leland and Kateri Bullhead; Moriah Rademacher (Justin), Krystal Caldwell (Aaron), Lilisa Reese (Darrick) and Colby Gannon (Haley).  Alex Cavanaugh (Katie) and Brian Cavanaugh (Carmen).   Great-Grand Children Kevana Coni, Mary, Nilus Bullhead; Ta-yawn, Kiari, Lalina, Matheau, Jah-kye, & Zaviure “Cap” Bullhead;  Saidee Nelson, Hayden, Maddix Longie, Gabriel Rademacher; Lottie Caldwell;  Silus Reese.  She is also survived by her brothers Roger Greene, St. Louis Missouri, Edward Greene, St. Michael, ND, Clarence Greene, Devils Lake, Robert Greene, Modesto, California, Daniel Greene III, St. Michael, Patrick Greene, Rapid City, SD, Mark Greene, St. Michael, Shawn Greene, sister Danita Greene, Sisseton, SD, Lori Greene and sister in law Christine Greene, Albuquerque, NM, cousin Gilbert “Toy” Anderson, New Rockford.  Many special cousins, nieces and nephews she thought the world of all the time. She is preceded in death by her father Daniel Greene, Sr.,mother Lillian Lajimodiere, Paternal Grandparents Charles and MaryAnn Longie Greene; Maternal Grandparents Patrick and Mary Lajimodiere.  Son- Kevin Scott, Daughter -Noreen Cavanaugh, Granddaughter Angel Cavanaugh, Grandchild Hoksicila.  Brothers Elwed Greene, Daniel Greene, Jr., David Greene.  Many Aunts, Uncles, nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends who are there at Heaven’s door to meet her. Pall bearers will be Leland Bullhead, Alex Cavanaugh, Colby Gannon, Brian Cavanaugh, Alan Nelson, Merlyn Greene, Daniel Greene III and Dorrance Comes Last. Honorary will be all MaryAnn’s God children, dear friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and colleagues she worked with over the years in her many business, church, political and community adventures. Celebrant; Father Charles Leute; Concelebrants Father Paul Schuster and Father Brian Moen  Organist:  Jodi Kurtz Soloist: Sarah Gratton, Mrs. ND singing Mom’s favorite hymn Ave Maria and How Great thou Art               Earl Bullhead – MaryAnn’s Memorial Song Evening lunch served following Rosary and thank you Meal following funeral Mass