In Memoriam: Longtime Rumsonite, Deane-Porter Teacher, Sue Gavin, 85

“It is with heavy hearts we announce the death our beloved and beautiful” longtime Rumsonite and former Deane-Porter kindergarten teacher, Suzanne “Sue” Elizabeth Gavin. She passed away peacefully on March 21 at home after a long illness. She was 85.

Sue was born on Sept. 10, 1940 in Jersey City, where she lived and grew up with her sister and brother. Sue attended the Academy of Saint Aloysius, graduating in 1958, and the College of Saint Elizabeth’s in Convent Sation, graduating in 1962.

“Sue met her husband John ‘Jack’ Gavin while in high school. Sue and Jack shared a rare occurrence on having the same birthday. They were married in 1963 and remained devoted to each other for 62 years.

“Sue and Jack welcomed three children — Joseph, David, and Elizabeth. Sue was the most loving, kind, patient and wonderful mother. Her children loved their mother beyond measure. Sue and Jack moved their family to their home in Rumson, NJ in 1973.

“Many family and friends most likely attended a famous ‘Five Gavin’ party once in their lives and if lucky, they got their heights measured and names on the kitchen wall.

“After obtaining her teacher certification, Sue began a 30-year career teaching kindergarten at the Dean-Porter School in Rumson. Her kind and positive impact on many young children’s lives was indelible. Students, parents, and colleagues respected and loved ‘Mrs. Gavin.’

“Sue became ‘Mimi’ when her grandchildren Grace, Charlotte, Lillian, and Will were born. Her grandkids were the light of her life, and she bestowed an abundance of love and support upon each of them, making each one feel special.

“A lovely soul inside and out, Sue was always an impeccably dressed, well-coiffed woman who exuded poise, politeness, and elegance in every way. She was a treasure of a woman adored by her husband, family and friends. She will be forever missed but never forgotten.”
Loved ones of Sue Gavin in her obituary

Sue was predeceased by: her parents, Frederick and Catharine Jacques; and her sister-in-law, Ellen Gavin Bozza.

Sue is survived by: her husband, Jack; and their children, Joseph, of Rumson, David (Jill Yarbrough), of Chapel Hill, NC, and Elizabeth, of Monmouth Beach; her grandchildren, Grace Scott (Haomiao Liu), Charlotte Vesel (Luc), Lillian Scott, and Will Gavin; her sister, Angela Calley Ekins (Walter), of Batesville, IN; her brother, Fred Jacques Jr. (Ellen), of Jersey City; her sisters-in-law, Anne Gavin (Sandy Kemper), of Silver Spring, MD, and Elizabeth Gavin (Warren Meny), of Bowie, MD; 12 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and nephews and cousins.

A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, March 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A funeral mass will follow on Wednesday, April 1, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Rumson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Us Against Alzheimer’s at www.usagainstalzheimers.org or at 5614 Connecticut Ave. #288 Washington, DC 20015-2604.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home