Therese M. Kaveny

Therese M. Kaveny

August 18, 1926 – October 8, 2026

Therese M. Kaveny, 100, of Rumford, Rhode Island and Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 8, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Cumberland, Rhode Island, Therese was the only child of the late Frederick and Rose (O’Neill) Houston. She and the late Robert Kaveny were the parents of five children.

Therese is survived by their four children: Carol Blanchette; Susan Lynn and her husband, Gary; Rosemary Stein and her husband, James; and Kevin Kaveny. She was predeceased by her son, Robert “Bobby” Kaveny, Jr., and her son-in-law, Brian Blanchette.

She also leaves her grandchildren and their families: Jack Blanchette and his wife, Adriana; Geoffrey Blanchette; Dr. Robert Lynn, Patrick Lynn; Connor Lynn; Matthew Stein and his wife, Amy; Katherine Folly and her husband, Nick; and Timothy Stein. She was the proud great-grandmother of Josephine and Lilian Blanchette, Mason and Olivia Stein and Zaia Folly.

Therese was a graduate of Pawtucket East High School, where she was vice president of her class, captain of the volleyball team, and a cheerleader. She later graduated from Salve Regina College and devoted her professional life to education, a vocation she embraced with dedication and pride. She began her teaching career in East Providence before joining the Seekonk Public Schools, where she taught for more than two decades. Throughout her career, she touched the lives of countless students and families, leaving a lasting impression through her commitment to learning and her genuine care for children.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Therese enjoyed a full and active life. She loved spending time with her family, traveling, following her beloved Boston Red Sox, and appreciating the beauty of gardens and flowers, architecture, and the places she visited. She particularly enjoyed Cape Cod and cherished her travels throughout the United States and abroad. Her sharp wit, independent spirit, and wonderful sense of humor remained with her throughout her long life.

Above all, Therese treasured her family. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and considered them her greatest blessing. Affectionately known as “Nana” to her grandchildren and “Grana” to her great-grandchildren, she was a cherished presence in their lives.

Her family will remember her for her devotion, her resilience, her sense of humor, and the love she shared so generously throughout her extraordinary 100 years.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 984 Taunton Avenue, Seekonk, Massachusetts. Burial will follow at Mount Saint Mary Cemetery in Pawtucket.

Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, October 18th, from 2:00 - 5:00 PM at the Manning-Heffern-O’Neill Funeral Home, 220 Cottage Street, Pawtucket.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to VNA Hospice of Rhode Island, in Therese’s memory, would be greatly appreciated by her family.