On January 14, 2021 Eleanor (Kim) Kavanaugh passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 86. Kim was born on June 12,1934 in Roanoke Virginia to Leslie and Sally Kimble. She attended Roanoke College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She was married to Jerrold Kavanaugh, and had three children, two stepchildren and six grandchildren.
Kim was raised primarily in Virginia and Indiana, and spent much of her young adult life in northern Virginia. She taught elementary school for numerous years and had a deep love for children and their educational growth. She later moved to Atlanta, GA with her second husband Jerry. For 38 years they were emotional and intellectual partners. She was extremely bright, quick-witted, a voracious communicator and loved good competition. You could frequently find her playing tennis or golf trying to better the score well into her 70s. She took great pride in her two hole in ones and strived for her third. She also loved a good competitive family game night or bridge with her close friends. She was musically gifted with piano and voice and formed a singing group, The Absolutes, with four close girl friends in the 70s. Simply put, Kim was a people person and happiest when she was around those she loved.
She cherished her Methodist faith and family and decided in her mid 60s to go “back to work” as an assistant teacher for the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church Preschool. For 19 years she relished the title Miss Kim and told tales of the charming, unexpected conversations only four and five-year-olds could concoct. They truly kept her engaged with life and she loved them each dearly.
Kim and Jerry’s happy place was Destin, FL and they spent at least a month there every spring. To her the mere sight of the white sand, teal water, endless sunshine and dancing dolphins was heaven on earth.
Kim was preceded in death by her mother Sally, father Leslie and sister Peggy. She is survived by her husband Jerry, children Bruce (Cathy), Leslie (Rita) and Brett, sister Betty, stepchildren Beth (Kevin) and Anne (Rupert) and grandchildren Bobby, Grant, Claire, Elizabeth, Caroline and Kyle.
The family will be celebrating her life privately. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring her life with a donation to the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church Preschool and Kindergarten.
