Bridget Ella Kavanaugh-Gonchar

Bridget Ella Kavanaugh-Gonchar, 31, died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 30, 2016, in Brooklyn, New York. Born August 28, 1984, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Bridget moved with her family while growing up, to Bay City, MI, Eau Claire, WI, and Holmen, WI, and lived most of her adult life in New York City.
Bridget is survived by her husband, Vladimir Gonchar, Brooklyn, NY, her mother, Mary Kay (Woodhouse) Kavanaugh, La Crosse, WI, her father, Kevan Kavanaugh, Lexington, VA, her brother, Tony Kavanaugh, La Crosse, WI, her grandparents, Ken and Shirley Kavanaugh, La Crosse, WI, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and her beloved cat, Simcha. Bridget was predeceased by her grandparents, Ray and Kathleen Woodhouse, Stoddard, WI.
A 2002 graduate of Holmen High School, Bridget loved drama – and was an actor in many theatre productions in high school, at The La Crosse Family Playhouse, La Crosse Community Theatre and Holmen Community Theatre. After high school, Bridget attended New York University, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre in 2006.
Like many starving artists in New York City, Bridget held a variety of jobs while pursuing acting opportunities, including positions at a law firm, a large brokerage firm and, most recently, served as receptionist at Tommy Hilfiger USA headquarters from 2012 to 2014.
Bridget was bright in both mind and spirit. Her smile lit up every room she entered, and she will be forever missed by her family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 8, 2016 at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Holmen. Rev. John Parr will officiate. Committal services will be in the St. Charles Catholic Cemetery, Genoa, WI. Friends may call at the church on Sunday from 3:00 – 6:00 PM and again on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. A Prayer Service will be held Sunday evening at 6:00 PM.