The Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education and our community mourn the loss of Johanna Kavanagh (nee Comerford) on January 30, 2021, in Toronto, Ontario, after a brave two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
Wife of the late Dr. Terry Kavanagh, loving eldest sister of Kate Herndon (North Carolina) and Thomas Comerford (London, England), as well as Bridget, Maureen and Reginald, all predeceased. Johanna will be sadly missed by her many nieces and nephew, and their families, in the US, UK, and Canada. In 1957, Johanna emigrated from England to Canada, with her then-husband Peter Kennedy and her sister Bridget. After spending 10 years in Winnipeg, she settled permanently in Toronto.
While working at the Toronto Rehab Centre, Johanna became a registered nurse, and then was appointed nurse in charge of the cardiac rehab program, where she played a pivotal role over the next 30 years. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at a future date once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Johanna's memory to the Terry Kavanagh Heart Health Lab at the University of Toronto. Donations may also be made to the Salvation Army.
Donations to the Terry Kavanagh Heart Health Lab at the University of Toronto will be used to support Dr. Terry Kavanagh's Fellowships in support of graduate students who are studying cardiac rehabilitation, cardiovascular disease prevention, or a related field in which physical fitness is a prominent component for the improvement of health and quality of life.
This obituary was originally published in The Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail on February 1, 2021.