Shawn Michelle-Flannigan Cavanagh, 45, of Lexington Park, MD, died at Hospice House on June 3, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on November 19, 1966 in Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada she was the daughter of Joan Marie Flannigan of Carlsbad, CA. and the late Frederick Paul Flannigan.

Shawn graduated from National University in San Diego, CA with a teaching degree. On November 30, 1991, she married her devoted husband, Thomas Patrick Cavanagh in San Diego, CA. Her first job was in the kitchen of a nursing home, which brought her great fun and many happy memories. She was later employed in Materials Management at Long Beach Community Hospital in California, which was her first taste of Health Information Technology. Her favorite aspect of this field was teaching the medical staff new ways to use and document health records. After moving to Maryland, she was employed by St. Mary's County Public Schools as a Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher at George Washington Carver Elementary School. She also volunteered many hours there. Shawn was a member of Relay for Life and the Cancer Support Group of St. Mary's Hospital. She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her beautiful family.

In addition to her mother and husband, Shawn is survived by her four daughters, Dorothy Carole, Francis Joan, Lilian Laurine and Caroline Marie Cavanagh of Lexington Park, MD; her sister, Katherine Smith (Scott) of Santee, CA; her brother, Gabriel Wallace of San Diego, CA; her sister-in-law, Laura Surman (Roger) of Newport, NY; brother-in-laws, James Cavanagh (Sandy) of Whittier, CA; Richard Cavanagh of West Lawn, PA and David Cavanagh (Ann) of Westfield, IN; and her loving nieces and nephews, Bryce, Brenna, Tyler, Audra, Rachael, Ryan, Grace and Sophia.

Shawn's Life Celebration memorial service will be held at Lexington Park Baptist Church, 46855 South Shangri-la Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653, on June 7, 2012 at 7 p.m., with Pastor Mark Garrett presiding. Interment will be private.

Memorial contributions in memory of Shawn may be made to the Lexington Park Baptist Church, 46855 South Shangri-la Drive, Lexington Park, MD 20653 or North Park Community Church, 3702 29th Street, San Diego, CA 92104.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.