Sue Cavanaugh

Looks like I've taken my last trip around the sun. I would have liked more. But what fun I've packed into the years I've had: a night meditation in the Sahara desert; awestruck by flocks of flamingos near Celestún, participating in the World Shibori Network in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.

I saw the total eclipse of the sun from Russellville, Kentucky; admired the Alps up close and Georgian Bay a little too close, from a small canoe. It wasn't all perfect. I fell off a train in Mexico City, broke my ankle near Panajachel, Guatemala; and was robbed in Maicou, Columbia. But the retelling added some spice to my stories.

Not bad for a kid who grew up on a farm two miles north of McCutchenville, Ohio. Even that experience wasn't average. My mom's farm vacation business taught me to appreciate those from different backgrounds.

I fell in love with Mexico on my first visit in 1970 and returned more than three dozen times. Several years ago I added a life goal of becoming fluent in Spanish, and while not bilingual, sí, ahora puedo hablar con fluidez.

After two degrees from Ohio State followed by 30 years working there, I was ready for a break and retired June 30, 2000. Then I surprised myself and others by becoming an artist for the next 22 years. Starting with art quilts, I learned to dye and pattern cloth, morphed into doing large installations, tried my hand at painting, drawing cartoons, and relief printing.

In 2012 I was able to spend almost 3 months in Dresden, Germany, on an artist residency sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Then came an Individual Artist Award from GCAC and another from the Ohio Arts Council. I'm thrilled to have pieces in the permanent collections of the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Muse Gallery has shown my art since 2009 and will continue to do so.

I've been blessed with many, many friends, from near and far. Thanks to all of you for enriching my life in so many ways!

Born Susan A. Cavanaugh September 6, 1948, Cavanaugh died of pancreatic cancer on March 19, 2022. A proud member of Mohawk High School's (Sycamore, Ohio) Class of 1966, she received her B.S. (1969) and M.A. (1974) from The Ohio State University. She is predeceased by her parents, Stanley Ward Cavanaugh and Ruby Williams Cavanaugh Koerper, and survived by brothers Scott W. Cavanaugh (Linda), Carl Junction, MO, and Stephen W. Cavanaugh (Sharon), Noblesville, IN. She was lucky to have a very close relationship with her much loved niece, Stephanie Cavanaugh (Manny), Santa Fe, NM, y su querido sobrino adoptado, Emilio Zamarippa (Joni), Burbank, CA. Memorial gifts are certainly not necessary, Sue preferring that you raise a glass and enjoy some fun memory. But if you're still so inclined, please consider the James Cancer Hospital or the Sue Cavanaugh Fund at The Columbus Foundation.

A celebration of Sue’s life will be held from noon to 2pm on Sunday, May 1, 2022, at the Grange Insurance Audubon Center, 505 W. Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43215.

Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST.