Sue Gavin Sept. 19, 1940 - March 21, 2026
The graduates of St. Peters Prep - Class of 1958 mourn the loss of Sue Gavin, wife of our own Jack Gavin. May God have mercy on her soul.
Obit from Asbury Park Press, Mar 24, 2026
It is with heavy hearts we announce the death our beloved and beautiful Suzanne Elizabeth Gavin, who passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026, at home after a long illness.
Suzanne was born September 10, 1940, in Jersey City, NJ where she lived and grew up with her sister and brother. Sue attended the Academy of Saint Aloysius, graduating in 1958 and the College of Saint Elizabeth’s in Convent Station, NJ, graduating in 1962.
Sue met her husband John “Jack” Gavin while in high school. Sue and Jack shared a rare occurrence on having the same birthday. They were married in 1963 and remained devoted to each other for 62 years. Sue and Jack welcomed three children, Joseph, David, and Elizabeth. Sue was the most loving, kind, patient and wonderful mother. Her children loved their mother beyond measure.
Sue and Jack moved their family to their home in Rumson, NJ in 1973. Many family and friends most likely attended a famous “Five Gavin” party once in their lives and if lucky, they got their heights measured and names on the kitchen wall.
After obtaining her teacher certification Sue began a 30-year career teaching kindergarten at the Dean-Porter School in Rumson. Her kind and positive impact on many young children’s lives was indelible. Students, parents, and colleagues respected and loved “Mrs. Gavin.”
Sue became “Mimi” when her grandchildren Grace, Charlotte, Lillian, and Will were born. Her grandkids were the light of her life, and she bestowed an abundance of love and support upon each of them, making each one feel special.
A lovely soul inside and out, Sue was always an impeccably dressed, well-coiffed woman who exuded poise, politeness, and elegance in every way. She was a treasure of a woman adored by her husband, family and friends. She will be forever missed but never forgotten.
Sue was predeceased by her parents Frederick and Catharine Jacques, and sister-in-law Ellen Gavin Bozza.
Sue is survived by her husband, Jack, and their children, Joseph of Rumson, NJ; David (Jill Yarbrough) of Chapel Hill, NC; and Elizabeth of Monmouth Beach, NJ. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Grace Scott (Haomiao Liu); Charlotte Vesel (Luc); Lillian Scott; and Will Gavin. Also surviving Sue are her sister Angela Calley Ekins (Walter) of Batesville, IN; brother Fred Jacques Jr. (Ellen) of Jersey City, NJ as well as her sisters-in-law Anne Gavin (Sandy Kemper) of Silver Spring, MD; and Elizabeth Gavin (Warren Meny) of Bowie, MD; 12 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on March 31, 2026, at John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Cross Church in Rumson, NJ at 10:00AM April 1, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Us Against Alzheimer’s at www.usagainstalzheimers.org or at 5614 Connecticut Ave. #288 Washington, DC 20015-2604.
To leave a Memorial Tribute to Sue, CLICK HERE.
Tributes to Sue...
Allan McCarthy
Requiescat in Pacem, Suzanne (Jacques) Gavin.
Pat (Faber/St. Nicholas School) and Allan McCarthy ‘58.
Richard Campion
I was sorry to hear of Sue’s passing. I remember you two enjoying the Prep and SPC dances. Please accept my condolences.
Vince Grillo
Sue was cordial and friendly and always with a warm, gracious smile. She made everyone feel at ease. May God grant her eternal peace.
Gerry Drummond
RIP Sue. My condolences, Jack, to you and your family. As our time in this world nears completion, a few of us now realize we began our journey together, unknowingly, in September 1940 in Jersey City, and gained further connections on our mission in this life. Sue’s elegant presence blessed us then and continues now.
Don McLaughlin
Jack, It is with a heavy heart that Mary and I share your loss of Susan, your wife and our friend. Sue and Mary were friends from the college at St. Elizabeth. Our prayers are with you and your family. Peace to a great lady, wife and mother
Peter Donnelly
A Prayer by Saint John Henry Newman:
May the Lord support us all the day long, til the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in his mercy may he give us a safe lodging, and holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.