Cecile Frances Devenish Sauvigne Karlson's Obituary
Cecile Frances Devenish Sauvigné Karlson
October 4, 1921, Asheville, North Carolina
June 3, 2012, Cutler Bay, Miami, Florida
A resident of Greater Miami since 1967, “Cile” as she was known to most, passed away early Sunday following a brief illness. She leaves behind her beloved husband of 20 years, Karl; her five children: Diana of Atlanta, GA; Patricia (Pete) of Alexandria, VA; George of Miami Shores, Deven (Jack) of Vilano Beach, FL, and John (Jan) of Pinecrest; her two stepsons: Rik (Marilyn) of Advance, NC; and Keith (Al) of Natchez, MS; her three grandchildren: John Chase of Atlanta, GA, John Sauvigné and Katie Sauvigné of Pinecrest, FL.; and her sister, Jean Devenish Tomhave of Schenectedy, NY. She was predeceased by her first husband, George E. Sauvigné, and her first grandson Jordan Poole Chase.
Cile was a female pioneer in Radio and Television, first with WENK-Radio “The Voice of Dixie” in Union City, Tennesse, and later a community and public service director with WGBS-AM and WTVJ-Channel 4 in Miami. She was active in, and an officer of, local, state and national chapters of WIC/Women in Communication and AWRT/American Women in Radio and Television. She was listed in ”Who’s Who of American Women in America” in 1975. It was during her 10 years with WTVJ-Wometco that she became so active in the Miami community, volunteering with numerous organizations such as the Arthritis Foundation, Lighthouse for the Blind, the Vizcayans, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Cancer Society, Camillus House, Trinity Cathedral, and so many others, all of which were near and dear to her heart. She continued her volunteer community service well into her retirement years.
Her marriage in 1992 to Karl Karlson began yet another chapter of her life, and they travelled almost non-stop for 15 years visiting friends and family on almost every continent.
Her family wishes to thank her dedicated caregivers: Marina, Manny, Marie, Andrea, and Jennifer, who made her last few months so happy and comfortable.
Viewing: Wednesday, June 6; 7-9pm VanOrsdel Coral Gables
Services: Thurs, June 7, 11am, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 14260 Old Cutler Road, Cutler Bay, FL
Instead of flowers, Donations: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral or St. Andrews Episcopal Church, or to the charity of your choosing in her memory.
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