Ellen Kavanagh, Lt. Col. USA (Ret.) departed this life on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland ending her inspirational 20 year battle with cancer.

A member of the Shepherdstown community since 2002, she was born on May 21, 1956 in Buffalo, NY, the oldest child of Edward J. and Mary Ellen (Fitzgerald) Kavanagh.

Ellen received a BS in Anthropology from The State University at Buffalo in 1978. She proudly served in the U. S. Army, Medical Service Corps for 20 years and achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel. Her overseas assignments included Korea, Saudi Arabia, Honduras & Egypt where she served as a Medical Logistics Officer. Upon her retirement from the Army she continued her work, with defense contractor General Dynamics. Ellen became an avid beekeeper and active member of the Eastern Panhandle Beekeepers Association of WV (despite a dislike for honey), raised chickens, and pursued organic gardening.

Ellen actively participated in finding a cure for cancer. She supported medical research through her participation in experimental cancer protocols. She promoted the need for research and completed the Race for the Cure in Washington, D.C. several times.

Ellen had a deep love for her Catholic faith and shared that joy with hundreds of students over the years as a catechist at St. Agnes Catholic Church and at numerous Catholic Churches where she found her home throughout her various military postings.

She is deeply mourned by her sisters and their families, Kathryn and Ronald Voit of Lewiston, NY and their children Ronald, Christina, Jillian, and Tara-Marie; Alice Kavanagh and Anthony Trombly of Arlington, VA and their children Julia, Andrew and Margaret; as well as her dear high school girlfriends, her faith community of St. Agnes, and many other friends from her years in the US Army.

The family will receive friends at St. Agnes Catholic Church on Monday, May 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. including a Prayer Service at 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at 12 Noon. The Rev. T. Mathew Rowgh will be the celebrant.

Burial with full military honors will be in Elmwood Cemetery in Shepherdstown. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either The St. Agnes Memorial Fund, PO Box 1603, Shepherdstown, WV 25443 or Hospice of the Panhandle, 112 Waverly Ct, Martinsburg, WV 25403. Arrangements by Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home. Condolences to the family may be left at her obituary at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com