Isobel Cavanaugh Broadhurst

Isobel C. Broadhurst, age 90, of Fairfield, beloved wife of the late John A. Broadhurst passed away Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at St. Vincent's Medical Center. Born in Fairfield, the daughter of the late James and Elizabeth (Gallagher) Cavanaugh, she had been a lifelong Fairfield resident. She attended Fairfield public schools and received her teaching degree from New Haven State Teachers' College and her Master's from the University of Bridgeport. Mrs. Broadhurst began her teaching career in the Fairfield public schools in 1946, where she became a lifetime Member of the Fairfield Education Association, and retired in 1990. She was a 40 year member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization of women educators. An active, long-time supporter of the Kennedy Center, Isobel served on the Board of Directors, twice serving as President of the Auxiliary Board and served as the Chair for several committees. She has been a volunteer for the Kennedy Center 10 Pin Bowling League. Isobel was a stanch believer in developing religious programs for those with special needs. Along with Rev. Peter DeMarco and Sr. Rosalita McNamee and Bishop Walter Curtis a program was created to train special needs youngsters for Communion and Confirmation. In 1971 she developed a similar program at St. Pius Church in Fairfield which is still in existence today. She served on the Diocese of Bridgeport Advisory Board for Special Education. Isobel was a member of Church Woman United, and was an actively involved in the Special Olympics for 45 years. In 1977 she and her husband established the Drop-In-Center for young challenged adults. She was also instrumental in the creation of FAARH, a program which benefitted special needs children outside the school environment. In 1997 she was the co-creator of "A Day In The Sun" event, a special day for special people. Among the many awards received Isobel was voted "Teacher of the Year" in 1981 by the Fairfield Jaycees. Isobel was honored to have the Kennedy Center's first group residence in Fairfield named "Broadhurst Manor" in 1985. In 1990 she was recognized by the Diocese of Bridgeport for 25 years of service while in 1993 she received both the Sr. Margaret Mary DiGiacamo Award from the Diocese and the Alpha Kappa State Achievement Award. The Peg Griffin Award from the Fairfield Education Association in 1995 and the Evelyn Kennedy Volunteer Award in 1998 were also awarded. In 2002 she was named "Volunteer of the Year" by the Conference of Women's Organizations of the Greater Bridgeport Area and the "Woman of the Year" Award in 2004 by the Housatonic Council, Girl Scouts of America. In 2006, she received the Dot Larson Award for volunteer work with people with special needs from the Agape Society. In 2007 the Fairfield Board of Selectman honored Isobel as the "Fairfield Citizen of the Year" and the Diocese of Bridgeport awarded her the St. Augustine Medal. Survivors include her three loving children, John V. Broadhurst and his wife Rita of Bolivia, NC, Betti Broadhurst-Viani and her husband Gene of Brant Lake, NY and Avon, CT, and Anthony Paul Donald Broadhurst (Tony) of Fairfield; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Delores Benson of Westport, Jeanne Cushion of West Haven, Joan Cavanaugh of Fairfield, Barbara-Ann Cavanaugh of Westport; two sisters-in-law, Ethel Cavanaugh of Fairfield and Barbara Merritt of New Fairfield. She was predeceased by a brother, Donald Cavanaugh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, September 21, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Dr., Fairfield. Interment will follow in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Fairfield. Friends may call Sunday from 2-6 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Kennedy Center, Inc., The John A. Broadhurst Endowment Fund, 2440 Reservoir Avenue, Trumbull, CT 06611. For information or to sign an online guest register please visit www.SpearMillerFuneralHome.com