Emma Rosemary Kavanagh (nee Delgado) passed away on July 23, 2016 at the age of 70 after a hard-fought battle with appendiceal cancer.

Survived by her husband Owen Kavanagh, her daughters Laura (married to Daniel Gordon) and Paula Kavanagh and her siblings David Delgado, Francis Delgado, Elizabeth Gabitzsch and Bryan Delgado, Rosemary leaves behind a large group of family, friends and colleagues whose lives she touched in remarkable, inspirational ways.

While growing up Rosemary was active and full of energy -- always hanging out with the boys as her brothers will tell you, she found her mate and partner for life at the age of 22 when she married Owen Kavanagh.

Rosemary spent much of her career helping to design and transform libraries, both mainstream and libraries for the blind, to bring information to the masses. Her work started in Jamaica at the National Library of Jamaica and travelled with her to Ontario when she emigrated here. Through her ongoing work and leadership with libraries, she touched the lives of many Ontarians by not only bringing them the ability to read and inform themselves but also to use the information and access it in a variety of media that was most effective for them. This passion allowed her to consult in as far away regions as South Africa, participate in global consortiums and coming full circle and most close to her heart, serve her country of birth, Jamaica.

Her passion for doing what is right, and more importantly what she feels was right, comes through to colleagues, friends and family alike. There will be many stories to share of Rosemary championing what she believed in and taking no prisoners. In truth, this is how she attacked her battle with her illness, never letting it get her down until the last few weeks. Her husband, her children and her siblings have all been there with her through it all.

The shared outpouring of love, concern and stories from her friends, colleagues and family reminded us of how well-loved and well-respected Rosemary is.

A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday August 4th at the Elgin Mills Visitation Centre.