Former Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress recall their path to love and marriage 

A FORMER lady mayoress opened up about falling for her young son’s tennis coach in a story that saw love triumph over grief and tragedy.

You could be forgiven for believing that well-known Montenotte woman Stephanie Kavanagh has it all.

However, her path to meeting now husband and Fine Gael Councillor Joe Kavanagh was not without its painful challenges. After losing her first husband just shy of their son Glenn’s third birthday, Stephanie found the heartbreak all-consuming.

She made a decision there and then to channel all her energy into Glenn to give him the best life possible in spite of adversity.

“When you have a child they are your responsibility no matter what way you feel”, she told The Echo. “It means you have to get on with the things that are important including providing for your children."

Little did Stephanie realise this admirable dedication would lead to her finding happiness again. It all started when she signed a five-year-old Glenn up for tennis lessons at a gym located on the grounds of Silver Springs Hotel. Cllr Kavanagh was the resident coach at the facility which was then known as Fitzpatrick’s Sports complex.

The councillor said their meeting was a fairytale, describing Stephanie as “beautiful” and “easy to talk to”.

He also recalled what a devoted mother she was to son Glenn.

“ I really got to know Stephanie through Glenn," Cllr Kavanagh explained. “He was always the first one at the lessons. I can’t remember him ever not being on time. Stephanie joined the adult social nights where participants would play together. 

"We started off as playing partners and it escalated from there."

Stephanie, who worked in sales at the time, recalled how they had their first argument on the court.

“We lost out on a point because I missed a shot. Joe was telling me what to do and I walked off the court," she laughed.

Stephanie was happy to take the relationship slowly.

“We put off the label of boyfriend and girlfriend for a while. The situation was complicated. There was a child to consider so I had to be very cautious," she explained. 

Luckily, Stephanie had little to worry about.

“I was lucky to be getting Glenn too,” Cllr Kavanagh said. “For me, he was a bonus. I was getting two for the price of one."

He proposed to Stephanie when her son was just eight years old.

“Not only was he taking on a wife, he was taking on a child as well but he was more than happy to do that," said Stephanie.

Nonetheless, the wedding would not have gone ahead without Glenn’s blessing.

“I got Glenn’s permission first," Stephanie admits. “I asked him if he thought it would be a good idea for Joe and I to get married. He told me that he didn’t think it was."

Fortunately, Glenn had a change of heart.

“He came back and said that he had thought about it and he did think it was a good idea after all. He was the matchmaker in a way and we were fortunate that we eventually got his blessing. 

"I think after giving it a bit of thought he felt that having a dad might be a bit of fun."

Glenn marked the occasion with a special announcement in front of his classmates.

“I got a call from the teacher to say that Glenn had told everyone that I was getting married again and he was going to have a new father. He made the announcement during prayers at school. I think the teacher rang me out of concern because she wasn’t sure if this was something that was a figment of Glenn’s imagination. It could have been something he wanted that may not necessarily have been true. I explained to her that it was the truth and I really was getting married!"

The couple tied the knot in St Joseph’s Church, Little Island back in 1992.

“I’ll never forget it," Cllr Kavanagh said. “The best man took me to Harbour Point Golf Club that morning to steady my nerves and I had a Britvic. Meanwhile, Stephanie is one of seven girls so there was a lot of organisation and preparatory work going into hair and make-up and of course the dress”.

Stephanie and the councillor were blessed with their son Philip when Glenn was 11 years old.

“It’s lovely to listen to the two of them when they’re together," Cllr Kavanagh said. “Even though there is 11 years between them they really are the best of friends”.

Cllr Kavanagh's appointment as Lord Mayor in 2021 only brought them closer.

“Stephanie fell into the role [of lord mayoress] like a pure natural," he said. 

"Her communication skills are better than mine. 

"She makes people very comfortable. She is one of the more outstanding lady mayoresses and that made my life so much easier. When I was at an event and talking to people on my right Stephanie was speaking with those on my left making sure that everyone felt included."

Cllr Kavanagh said they have much to be grateful for as a couple.

“Eddie Noonan from Frameworks videotaped our wedding and later kindly converted it to DVD. It’s a reality check when we watch it because there are so many people in it that aren’t with us anymore."

Stephanie added:

“We are grateful for all the good things that we learned along the way and for our two fabulous grandchildren Theo (5) and Holly (1)”.

Stephanie is convinced that the councillor was always her soulmate.

“You are never alone when you have a soul mate. You can talk through the highs and the lows and there is always someone you know you can trust. I can genuinely say I was very lucky to meet Joe because he is everything you could want in a person. There have been so many times where I have counted my blessings because I am one of few people that found love a second time."