Super-Sensitive Musical String Co.’s Ellen June Cavanaugh, a 50-plus year Music Industry veteran, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2019 after a three-year hard-fought battle with ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her family in her final moments at the Hospice House of Sarasota. Ellen was born August 25, 1945 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the late Rev. James and June Muckle. Ellen was 73.
Ellen met her husband John at the Evanston Presbyterian Church and they were married on October 12, 1968 in that same Illinois church in a service officiated by her father. Together for the next 50 years they would raise a family and run their business, Super-Sensitive Musical String Co. In 2018, they celebrated their 50thwedding anniversary. After moving to Sarasota in 1972, Ellen was an active member of the Church of the Palms and involved in many volunteering activities including the Sarasota Orchestra and La Musica.
Ellen’s career in the Music Industry began when she married John Cavanaugh. Ellen thoroughly enjoyed the tradeshows which she participated in for over five-decades. As Vice-President, she oversaw the accounting and conventions. She served as President and board member of the Music Distributors Association (MDA). Ellen always expressed her love for all of the many wonderful people she had the opportunity to meet in the Music Industry. She also had a special spot for all of the talented musicians that endorsed Super-Sensitive’s products. People who knew Ellen would remark about how she was full of energy and how she would always put a smile on their face.
Since Ellen’s passion was music, she took up playing the violin 15 years ago where she joined the local orchestra. Ellen was also an avid bridge player. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and traveling the world with her husband, John. Ellen was a devoted mother and grandmother and a constant fixture at their activities.
Ellen is survived by her loving husband John V. Cavanaugh of Sarasota, FL; daughter Caryn (Stephen) Patterson of Lakewood Ranch, FL, daughter Mary Ellen (Billy) Bass of Crystal River, FL and son Jim (Susan) Cavanaugh of Osprey, FL; brother Gary (Mary) Muckle of Chicago, IL; and grandchildren, Jonah and Caleigh Patterson, AJ and Savannah Bass, and Alexandra and Nicholas Cavanaugh.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Ellen can be made to the Church of the Palms, Sarasota Orchestra or TideWell Hospice, Inc.
