Suzanne Elizabeth Jacques Gavin passed away peacefully March 21, 2026, at home after a long illness.
Suzanne was born Sept. 10, 1940, in Jersey City, 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, graduating in 1962.
Sue met her husband, John “Jack” Gavin, while in high school. Sue and Jack had an interesting bond as they shared the same birthday. They were married in 1963 and remained devoted to each other for 62 years. They 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 Rumson 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; David (Jill Yarbrough) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina; and Elizabeth of Monmouth Beach. 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, Indiana; brother Fred Jacques Jr. (Ellen) of Jersey City; her sisters-in-law Anne Gavin (Sandy Kemper) of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Elizabeth Gavin (Warren Meny) of Bowie, Maryland; 12 nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. March 31 at John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. April 1 at Holy Cross Church in Rumson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Us Against Alzheimer’s at usagainstalzheimers.org or 5614 Connecticut Ave. #288, Washington, D.C. 20015-2604.
The article originally appeared in the March 26 – April 1, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
