Elaine Katherine Gavigan Obituary.
Posted on findagrave.com by her nephew, Steve Gavigan. Elaine
Gavigan was a renowned physical education teacher and tennis coach in
Broward County from about 1950 to 1980 - first at South Broward High School
and later at Broward Community College, where she was a founding faculty
member. Five of the tennis teams she led won state championships. But she
ultimately gained more widespread acclaim for her role in bringing a
landmark 1973 federal class action lawsuit that helped level the playing
field nationwide between men's and women's athletic programs in
scholarships, comparable facilities, and equitable budgets.
Born and
raised in Miami, Elaine left south Florida just long enough to complete her
education with an undergraduate degree from Florida State College for Women
in Tallahassee and a master's degree from Ohio State University. After
returning to south Florida, concerns about the rampant, unplanned
development of the post-war 1950s led her to become a staunch advocate for
comprehensive planning and land development regulation, which she supported
through membership in and service to numerous non-profit organizations,
including the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and The Nature Conservancy.
In 1960, Elaine met soulmate Georgia (Renny) Reynolds through the
matchmaking efforts of a couple of mutual friends, and their love for and
devotion to one another was unequivocal. They enjoyed traveling, and spent
several weeks of vacation time each summer on trips across America and
around the world. Eventually in their retirement, cruises out of Port
Everglades and Miami became a favorite form of leisure travel. They were
gracious hosts, receiving friends and family members from all over the
country - especially during the winter season! For several decades, they
were centerpieces of a wide circle of close-knit friends. Their longtime
home base was a duplex Elaine bought in Fort Lauderdale/Plantation at 360
NW 65th Avenue. They lived on one side (360) and used the other side (370)
for the in-home care of Elaine's mother during her declining years, and
later for Elaine's sister Leona during her long and valiant battle with
breast cancer. About 2005, they sold the duplex to move to John Knox
Village in Pompano Beach, where they enjoyed senior living with excellent
care for the rest of their lives.