Obituary: Millie Van Sandt Cavanaugh, 92, Louisville

Millie Van Sandt Cavanaugh, 92, of Louisville, died at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, at Baptist East Hospital in Louisville. She was born in Peru, Ind. on March 15, 1924. She was a veteran of World War II who served in the Woman’s Army Air Corps. She joined the war in 1944 and became a radio operator in the 134th AACS (Army Airways Communication System). She was stationed in Texas and then overseas in Paris until the war ended. She was a pioneer in the state of Kentucky as one of the first women to be a disk jockey for a radio station. She worked at WFMW in Madisonville where she hosted the “Morning Matinee with Millie” show. Upon the death of her husband Jack L. Van Sandt, she remarried and moved to Florida until the death of her second husband, William T. Cavanaugh Jr. She then moved to Louisville KY in 2015. She was an active lifelong member of the Methodist Church and a Kentucky Colonel. She will be best remembered for her beautiful smile and her optimistic outlook on life.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Michael Van Sandt; and one sister, Nora Williams

She is survived by two daughters, Jill Winstead (Steve) and Laura Swigert (Kirk); two sons, Jack K. Van Sandt (Carolyn) and Victor Van Sandt (Cindy); one stepdaughter, Louise Dennis; two stepsons, David Cavanaugh and Terry Cavanaugh; one sister, Marion Cardwell (Jim); nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Cremation was chosen and a military service and inurnment will take place at a later date in the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Florida.

The Ratterman Funeral Home in Louisville is in charge of arrangements.

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