Shirley Elizabeth Webster Cavanaugh

Shirley Elizabeth Webster Cavanaugh, 89, of Washington, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2025, in Donnell House, Washington.

She was founder of the “Green Dinner,” a tradition that began in 2001 and has grown every year. If you knew Shirley, you knew about her Green Dinner. You may have seen pictures and even been lucky enough to have attended one. In 2017, the dinner took on a whole new meaning when Shirley’s husband, Jim, died on St. Patrick’s Day.

Shirley was born November 6, 1935, in her home, in Finleyville, a daughter of the late Joseph and Eleanor Philips Webster.

In 1953, she graduated from Peters Township High School and three years later became a registered nurse graduating from Washington Hospital School of Nursing.

On October 3, 1959, in the Immaculate Conception Church in Washington, she married James H. Cavanaugh. They celebrated 58 years of marriage until his death in 2017.

Shirley’s nursing career spanned 20 years at the Washington Hospital and three years with the Visiting Nurses Association. Ten years later her RN title was replaced with a new one “Grandma,” which had much better benefits. Her other joys in life were her love of music, playing cards, reading, sewing, traveling, walking the mall with friends and any kind of games with her grandkids.

For 18 years, she was member of Fairhill Manor Christian Church, where she was a teacher for the Adult Bethany Sunday School Class. In 2021, because of declining health and the pandemic, she began attending the Keystone Baptist Church where her friend and neighbor was pastor.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three siblings, Harold and Don Webster and Ethel Wolowski.

Her children allowed her to make her own decisions and lovingly supported them.

Surviving are six children, James H. Cavanaugh Jr. of Onalaska, Wisconsin, Robert (Sherri) Cavanaugh of Washington, Ronald (Katie) Cavanaugh of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Caren (Rick) Tucker of Houston, Cheryl (Mike) Vanselow of Houston and Donald (Michael Fodor) Cavanaugh of Washington, and nine grandchildren, who were her pride and joy, Cody Cavanaugh, Rachel (Jesse) Broda, Sarah (Tyler) Verin, Megan (Ryan) Boyd, Caitie (Jake) Lusby, Michael Cavanaugh, Ricky Tucker, Maggie Cavanaugh, and Rogan Cavanaugh.

In 2021, she was blessed with her first great-grandson, Beau Alan Broda, and in 2025, her second great-grandson, Theodore James Boyd, was added to the family tree.

Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, August 22, 2025, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., Washington, where services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday August 23, 2025, with Pastor Jana Quisenberry officiating. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Concordia Hospice of Washington, who have provided such loving care to her.