Michael Owen Garvey

Michael Owen Garvey, of South Bend, Indiana, whose words, wit, and wisdom graced his family, friends, and colleagues for more than four decades, died at Memorial Hospital on Sunday, February 13 surrounded by his wife, Margaret, his sons, Michael and Joseph, and his daughter, Monica. He was 70 years old and died of complications from cancer.
Born to Hugh and Jane Garvey of Springfield, Illinois, in 1951, Michael was the fifth of nine siblings. In 1974 he was graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied English.
In 1977, Michael moved to Davenport, Iowa, to serve at a Catholic Worker house founded by Margaret Quigley, of Chicago, Illinois, who was his co-worker, dearest friend, and eventually his wife. Married on the Feast of Saint Francis, October 4, 1979, the home Michael and Margaret shared was marked by their instinct for hospitality and became a gathering place and crossroads for an expanding circle of friends throughout their years 40 years of marriage.
Michael served as the Assistant Director of News and Information at the University of Notre Dame for 35 years, writing press releases, faculty profiles, and (alas) obituaries of the colorful personalities making up that legendary community.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his sons, Michael (Carmen) and Joseph (Shannon) Garvey; his daughter Monica; and his grandchildren, Patrick, Cecilia, and Hugh, all of South Bend.
Gifts in his memory may be made to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, 700 N Virgen de San Juan Blvd, San Juan, TX 78589, or Our Lady of the Road Catholic Worker, 744 S Main St, South Bend, IN 46601.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 17, in the McGann Hay University Area Chapel, 2313 Edison Rd, in South Bend.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, February 18 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, University of Notre Dame. For those who cannot attend in person, the funeral will be livestreamed. https://campusministry.nd.edu/mass-worship/basilica-of-the-sacred-heart/funeral-live-stream/

To send private condolences, please visit: http://www.mcgannhay.com/condolences.html