Vivian Annette “Annie” Cleveland-Kavanagh was born on December 31, 1954, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Eordana Sarron and Robert Cleveland. Her family later moved to Crowley, Louisiana, and then to Lafayette, where Annie graduated from Northside High School in 1972. Following in her father’s footsteps, she went on to attend Louisiana State University.

Miss Annie was a gifted artist and a remarkable singer. With her pitch-perfect alto voice, her talent for yodeling, and her ability to harmonize effortlessly, she was even invited to audition for the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Instead, she chose to visit her beloved grandmother, Vivian Stauffacher-Levinson-Ogren, in Hayward, Wisconsin—where she fell in love and later welcomed her three beautiful daughters.

Annie cherished her family above all else. She loved singing, drawing, writing stories with her mother, and cooking her favorite Louisiana dishes. She especially treasured spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A woman of many passions, she also enjoyed construction, power tools, and flipping houses—continuing her hands-on work well into her later years, until her body could no longer keep up with her spirited energy.

Annie is survived by her daughters: Annie Makos, Amanda Makos, and Mary Kavanagh; her grandchildren: Devin Marie Arnhols-Pedersen, William Cepero, Robert Cepero, and Matthew Conover; and her great-grandchildren: Lamora Pedersen and Milo Pedersen. She is also survived by her sisters, Donna (Arthur) D’Andrea and Mary Ella Cleveland.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eordana and Robert Cleveland; her husbands, Douglas William Makos and Patrick Jon Kavanagh; her fiance, David Worman and her brother-in-law, Daniel Grochowski.

A celebration of life will be held starting at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Hayward Veterans Center, 10534 Main Street in Hayward.

Last Update: Jun 24, 2025 7:13 am CDT