Zoe Cate Kavan, age 13, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family on March 5, 2022, due to complications of Mitochondrial Leigh’s Disease.
Zoe was born on Nov. 3, 2008, to Joel and Cindy Kavan.
Zoe attended the Lee Ann Britain Center for Pre-K, Cedar Hills Elementary and Pleasant Ridge Middle School. Zoe was so loved. She made friends easily, and her classmates and teachers were generous with their time and attention. Many teachers expressed that they had to have a sign-up sheet because so many students wanted to spend time with her. Zoe loved being with family, friends and especially her big brother, Noah.
Mitochondrial Disease robbed Zoe of the ability to walk, talk and eat, but she was able to communicate with her eyes, smiles and soft touch. Zoe has touched many lives and inspired her family and friends to help raise awareness about Mitochondrial Disease and the importance of finding a cure.
Zoe Cate is survived by her parents: Joel and Cindy Kavan, and brother, Noah. Grandparents: Marlene and Lester Kavan and Darlene and Arlen Kirkwood. Aunts and Uncles: Dan Kavan (Jan), Rick Kavan (Oksana Tharp), Sally Brown (Virgil), Roger Kirkwood (Melissa). Cousins: Roxy, David, Rebecca, Miri, Kayla, and Atara Kavan, Matvey and Milana Kavan, Cole and Claire Brown, Nathan and Ethan Kirkwood.
Funeral services were held March 9, 2022, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, with a short graveside service immediately following at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, 9501 159th St, Overland Park, KS. To view the service, please use the following link: https://vimeo.com/685274082
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Zoe can be made to UMDF Team Zoe, 8085 Saltsburg Rd. Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15239, or https://give.classy.org/teamzoe2022. Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel.com.
