July 12, 1938 - February 13, 2017
Mary Westfall Froley Cavin, age 78, of North Little Rock, passed away Monday, February 13 surrounded by her loving family as they prayed the Rosary. She was born on July 12, 1938 in Little Rock to the late Jimmie and Stella Froley.
Mary was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in North Little Rock and Catholic Daughters of America. Her Christian character was a true testament of her life. She served her faith humbly and never asked for anything in return. Mary never wanted anyone to know of her generosity and tended to stay anonymous in her giving.
Mary was very proud of her Southern and Irish heritage. Her family originally settled in Arkansas in the 18th century. After graduating from Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock, Mary began her working career as a Medical Technician at the Mo-Pac Hospital in Little Rock. She went on to gain two Masters Degrees with honors and was a member of the New York Academy of Science and would go on to work for the Veterans Administration Hospital. She served her community as a microbiologist, doing very early AIDS research, developing diabetes programs, computer programming and systems analysis, and even ancillary testing. She was the Assistant Chief of Prosthetics Division at the time of her retirement from the VA Hospital.
Mary will be remembered by her family as a woman with a brilliant mind whose devotion to her faith and family and others was paramount. Mary Cavin never put herself second. Mary Cavin always put herself last even until her last breath.
She was preceded in death by an infant brother; son, Sean Patrick Cavin; cousins: Jean Ann Jones, Wright Vermilya, and dear friend Mary Lou Jaworski.
Mary is survived by her children: Earnest Metcalfe Cavin, Jr. (Shanela), of Mt. Vernon; Catherine Westfall Cavin McKinley (Don), of Little Rock; and Jimmie Cavin (Linda), of North Little Rock; grandchildren: Jeremy McKinley (Meredith); Erin Cavin Schudar (Tommy); Tara Westfall Edmondson (Eric); Patrick Cavin (Courtney); Catherine Lindsey McKinley; Brian Froley Cavin (Chantal); John Cavin; James Cavin; Forrest Lee Cavin; Anna Elizabeth Cavin; and Mary Margaret Cavin. She is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren and dearly beloved cousins: Anne Wells, Luther Roberts, Jane Chapman, Teddy Tubbs, Freddy Tubbs, and Grant Tubbs; closest friends: Mary Kaye Kippenberger and Mary Parrish, and a dear friend she considered her "other son", Casper Nehus.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the 9th floor staff at Baptist Health- Little Rock for their compassionate and loving care of our mother. We ask for prayers for the repose of her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Mary can be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Mount St. Mary Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd, Little Rock, AR 72205.
So sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the words spoken at Revelation 21:3,4
(3) "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. (4)
And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away".
Ernie, Cathy, and Jimmy,
We are very sorry for your loss. You and your families are in our prayers. She was loved by all.
Elaine, Mary, and Phyllis Hemann, Melanie Hemann Johnston, Charles and Chris Hemann.
Dear family of Mary's,
I was so very sorry to hear of her transition. But our loss is heaven's gain. She exhibited true Christianity every day that I knew her. She was so very proud of you guys and talked constantly of her grandchildren. She was one of the most courageous people I've ever known. And generous, with no strings attached. That, in itself, proves unconditional love for those in her life.
I feel privileged and honored to have had her as a friend on this journey we call life. God bless each of you and keep you in His care. You will now have a Saint in Heaven to pray for you.
Warmly,
Teresa Lovern
Sorry for your loss. Sh was such a sweet lady.
Mary was a friend of mine when she was in the Lab Service at the VA. She was always uplifting to talk to and we would talk about our kids or her next new project. She would brighten my day! I know she was a jewel to her family and am sorry for you loss.
Miss Mary was a truly wonderful person she was always helping me out when I showed apartments in her building. I will miss her. God Bless her family. She was very proud of all of you.
Mary was one of God's angels on earth. I had the pleasure of working with her at CAVHS for many years. It did not matter what assignment or role she was asked to undertake she did it with smiles and a great passion for veterans that we served. Prayers for her family whom she adored as I know she will be missed.
Gran was always a ray of sunshine and always had a hug and kiss to give to those she loved. I have such wonderful memories growing up around all of you and Gran was always the center of the fun! (Unless we were in trouble). I hope all of you find peace and feel His love at this time knowing that Gran is, no doubt an angel that will forever love us and shine upon us.
We love all of you, Leslie and Hannah Sink
Dear Earnie and Family,
Please, accept our words of sympathy on passing of Mary.
She was a very kind person with a smile. May she rest in peace.