Maureen Kavanaugh Godar

Maureen Kavanaugh Godar had one last fall and with the extent of her injuries plus her age; there was no bouncing back. Maureen died in the early morning on Saturday, September 13th. Everyone’s thoughts, prayers, and visits helped her feel your love, find comfort and eventually peace.

Maureen was survived and will be missed by her children — Doreen (David) Gurrola, Patrick (Evelyn) Godar, Colleen (Randy) Hoge, Gerry (Ellen Manley) Kavanaugh; grandchildren — Alyssa (Marshall) Bernal, Matthew (Katharine Gardiner) Gurrola, Sarah (Nick Helenschmidt) Godar, Patrick (Arantza Sanchez Lopez) Hoge, Joanna Godar; great grandchildren — Alexander Johnson Godar, Allesandro, Joseph and Luciana Bernal, Oliver Hoge Sanchez. Maureen was proceeded in death by her Husband, Don Godar, parents Patrick and Josephine Kavanaugh, and so many precious friends and family.

Born to Patrick and Josephine Kavanaugh on October 16, 1937, Bronx, New York. She considered herself a nerd and felt as if she was different on account of being an only child. She was an overachiever in school and felt more comfortable around adults rather than children her own age. She spent much of her time reading and read books so far above her age that the local librarian did not believe she was capable. Maureen moved to Los Angeles in 1947 and settled in the San Fernando Valley. Her family back on the East Coast considered it to be the back of beyond and wondered if they were going to live on a ranch.

In 1955, after graduation, the family moved north to San Jose, California. Maureen earned a Bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in English from San Jose State in 1960. During her time at SJS she was very involved in the Newman Club. The Newman Club is where she blossomed as a person and met some of her lifelong friends. This is also how she met her favorite person, her future husband, Don Godar. Friends in the Newman Club introduced them at a beach party. He helped her to relax and find herself. They married on June 27, 1958. In 1960, they had their first child, Doreen, a name they chose in part because it was a mix of their names and Doreen was a representation of their love. Next came Patrick in 1961, Colleen in 1963, and Gerald in 1964. Her children were her greatest achievement. She was not sure she understood children, being an only child, but she raised them well and she was extremely proud of the adults they became.

Maureen’s family, friends and community were very important to her. She loved sharing her knowledge and faith with others. While her children were young she volunteered at their Lietz Elementary School as yard duty (she had the perfect voice), in the office, library (perfect for a book lover and compulsive), and for many years she worked as a Kindergarten teacher’s assistant. She also was receptionist at the Centre of the Living with the Dying which led to volunteer coordinator. Mo loved to share her knowledge of history, religion, and politics. She was a life-long volunteer with the Catholic Church. She was a Eucharistic Minister and for over 45 years she taught Catechism and Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults from when her children were young until she was in her 80s. She had gone through the same levels of Catholic Education as a Deacon of the Church. She was a Lector at the church for much of her adult life. Maureen stood up against injustice whenever she could. As a young adult she marched in protests, leading to one arrest, and later in life, when marching was less possible for her, she wrote letters expressing distaste in the actions of organizations she previously supported. She used the privileges in life that she had to stand up and speak up for people and causes that may have had a hard time being heard. Mo owned and read books on almost every topic available; especially The Kennedys, New York, and being Irish. She always had a collection of books nearby. Mo was always learning new things and using her varied knowledge on trivia books, crossword puzzles, and yelling at Jeopardy. Her love of learning continued until right before her death when she was teaching herself Spanish, German, and Italian.

Family and friends are invited to Church of the Transfiguration for Maureen’s Celebration of Life Mass on Saturday, October 25th at 11 am with lunch to follow at Mt. Tabor Hall (across the parking lot from the main church).

Church of the Transfiguration

4325 Jarvis Avenue

San Jose, CA 95118

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Maureen’s honor.