Mary G. Gavin passed away peacefully Saturday October 25, 2025 at the Reedsburg Senior Life Center.  Mary was born on March 4, 1931 to Sylvester and Frances Flanagan in Belleville, WI.  

She was educated in Belleville and then returned to Belleville as an elementary school teacher after graduating from Sauk County Normal School in 1951. On June 28, 1952 Mary and John “Jack” Gavin were united in marriage, returning to Reedsburg in 1956 when Jack joined Gavin Bros. Real Estate and Auctioneers. Mary became active in numerous community and church activities, and the Gavin home became a welcome gathering place for all.  Sacred Heart Church and School became Mary’s spiritual home where she with many others founded the Sacred Heart Endowment Fund and numerous fundraisers to ensure the success of Sacred Heart School and Parish.  

Mary embraced her Irish heritage and was honored in 1999 as the Irish Rose by the Shamrock Club of South Central Wisconsin. Mary brought joy and generosity including being an avid fan of all local, state and professional sports teams.  During Packer games she was often seen pacing behind her easy chair in between getting Jack snacks.  She was a fixture at her children and grandchildren’s events and later in life she enjoyed the companionship of her beloved cat Chipper.   

Mary was very proud of her family and set a standard of always supporting your siblings and family while proudly representing the Gavin and Flanagan name.  She loved that her children and grandchildren filled the home with love and laughter and there was always an extra seat at the dinner table for family and friends.

Mary is survived by her four children Steve (Karen) Coppell, TX, Stephanie (Ron) Seffrood Lodi, WI, Jim (Kim) Gavin Los Gatos, CA and Tom Gavin Reedsburg, WI;   eleven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; brother Bob (Bev) Flanagan Belleville, WI; sister in law Ruth (Ken) Flanagan Chippewa Falls, WI and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack; her parents; brothers Ken and Arthur; sister Rita Thalman; niece Belinda Rueter and nephew Brad Flanagan.  Also, sisters-in-law Lucille Krug Mary Gavin, Mary Lou Gavin, Jean Kropp, Helen Winchell, and Rosemary Gavin and brothers in law James Gavin, Harold Gavin, Lynn Krug and Junior Kropp.  

The family would like to thank the Reedsburg Senior Life Center for the kindness and care Mary received the last 2 years. She loved the community of Reedsburg.  

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, November 7, 2025 at 12:00 P.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Fr. Paul Ugo Arinze officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, November 6, 2025 from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the Grasse Funeral Home in Reedsburg. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests any donation be made to the Reedsburg Senior Life Center or Sacred Heart Catholic Church.