Cynthia Larkin (nee Kavanagh), a long-time resident of Amanzimtoti, died on Saturday, 20 August after a brief illness.
Cynthia was born in Gwelo, Southern Rhodesia and moved to Toti with her parents and three younger brothers at a young age.
She attended Amanzimtoti Primary School, followed by Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High.
She married Redmond Kavanagh, who was one of the descendants of the original Irish settlers who started the AECI factory in Umbogintwini.
Her parents Arthur and Kathleen Howes were mayor and mayoress of Toti in the early 1960s and Cynthia took over the mayoral duties when her mother died.
“She was an enthusiastic member of the Toti community and the Catholic Church,” said her daughter Brenda Fourie.
In 2000 she married Tony Larkin, the former principal of Amanzimtoti High School, and became actively involved in the Rotary Club of SA, through the Rotary Annes.
“She was instrumental in a number of community projects – one of which was her knitting group that knitted baby or children’s jerseys and blankets for the underprivileged. She supplied the wool, collected the finished garments and delivered them to the relevant homes or hospitals. My mom dedicated her life to always helping others.”
Family was an integral part of Cynthia’s life. Her warm and loving nature was experienced by many as she loved unconditionally. “She was fondly known as ‘gran’ to many people whose lives she touched and she will be sorely missed by all who knew her,” said Brenda.
She had a passion for travel and was fortunate to have visited many countries and document her travels in the many photographs she took.
Cynthia is survived by her four daughters Carol Dunford, Joy de Witt, Robynne Tarboton and Brenda, their husbands, 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and extended families.
A funeral service for Cynthia will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Riverside Road on Monday, 29 August at 2pm.
