Laurel Ann Cavanagh

Laurel is survived by the love of her life, Denis (“Denny”) Martin Cavanagh Sr., whom she married on August 25, 1962. She is also survived by daughter, Emily Maguire (John W. Waller) of Glen Ridge, NJ, and former husband Bruce Maguire of Montclair, NJ; son, Denis Cavanagh, Jr. (wife Stephanie) of Fairfax, VA., and five cherished grandsons, Patrick, Brendan and Kevin Maguire, and Charles (“Charlie”) and William (“Will”) Cavanagh, who affectionately called her “Mimi.”

She is also survived by her beloved siblings Tom Varian (wife Lillian), Kathy O’Connor (late husband Jack), Veronica Lamkin (late husband John) and Suellen Varian; Tom’s children Walter (wife Patricia and children Audrey, Charlotte and Emma) and Jessica (husband John Faron and children Liam and Wyatt); Kathy’s children Jaqueline (husband Michael Goodwin and children Kaitlin, Michael, Emily and Lauren) and John IV. (wife Jaime and children Jack and Caden); Suellen’s daughter Fidelma Keogh (husband Stephen Potter), along with many more cousins, nieces, nephews, and a wide extended family that were such a big part of her life and happiness.

She was predeceased by her parents, Margaret (“Gigi”) and Walter Varian, her in-laws Joseph and Anna Cavanagh, as well as her brother-in-law, the Rev. Joseph Cavanagh S.J.

Laurel Ann Varian was born on October 6, 1939, in The Bronx, NY and moved to Bronxville, NY with her family on September 11th, 1953. After graduating from the Academy of Mt. St. Ursula High School, Bronx, NY in 1957, she began her career at the pharmaceutical company Burroughs Wellcome & Co. In her 30s, as a young mother with two young children, she returned to school and proudly graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in social work in 1972. Following that, she went on to teach at Cedar Lane School in Vienna, VA, where she enjoyed working with students every day. Laurel was most proud of her career as a wife, mother and homemaker.

Laurel and Denny were proud to call Madison, CT home for the past 37 years, but Denny’s career as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation brought them all over the United States where they made countless friends. The Cavanaghs made homes in New York, California, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Virginia before settling in Madison in 1987.

A woman of deep faith, Laurel was a devoted member of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed the friendships formed in the Madison community and particularly enjoyed bridge games at the St. Margaret’s Parish Center and Madison Senior Center, beach sunsets with a vodka tonic in hand, and simply being with the people she loved most.

Laurel loved to laugh and have fun and her cheerful spirit and signature phrase — “Are We Havin’ Fun yet?” — became a joyful anthem to those around her, bringing warmth and levity to every moment.

“Are We Havin’ Fun Yet?” became a daily rallying cry beginning in 1978 in Bethany Beach, DE., where Laurel and Denny and close friends launched a tradition which continues today. What started with just three families (Cavanaghs, McDonalds, Munks) has grown into a gathering of more than eight and counting by 2025 — a testament to the deep bonds she nurtured across generations. And yes, they are (still) havin’ fun!

A wake will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd from 3-8PM at Swan Funeral Home (825 Boston Post Rd) in Madison, CT. The funeral will take place at 11AM on Thursday, April 24th at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church (24 Academy St) in Madison, CT.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Laurel Cavanagh can be made to the Closer to Free Fund at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Please make a check payable to Closer to Free Fund and mail to YNHH Development; P. O. Box 1849; New Haven, CT 06508. Please include Laurel Cavanagh on the memo line. Secure online gifts can be made at https://www.givetoynhh.org/closertofree.

Alternatively, donations can be made to the National MS Society Memorial Fund at the link below: https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=703164

A calling hours for Laurel will be held Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT 06443. A funeral service will occur Thursday, April 24, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Margaret Church, 24 Academy St, Madison, CT 06443.