Family’s annual swim celebrates lost loved ones

Editor’s note: This story was originally published August 21 with errors. The annual swim is in honor of Lana, Laverne, and Justin of the Kavanagh family. Below is the corrected version.  

John Kavanagh’s family and friends know how to make the most of a summer reunion on Whitefish Lake. They’ve been gathering for 12 years to swim across the lake in honor of John’s stepdaughter, Lana, and other family members who have passed on.  

One day, about 18 years ago, John and Lana “got the bright idea of swimming across Whitefish Lake,” Kavanagh said.  

John and Lana did the swim together for several years until she was stricken with cancer and died at the age of 48.  

While the loss was heartbreaking, the following summer, the family decided to celebrate her memory by coming together and swimming across the lake in her memory.  

The tradition of swimming the lake has grown every year since, except for during the pandemic as the border was closed.  

Kavanagh said that now the event also celebrates the life of Laverne, his late wife, who passed away in 2019, as well as Lana’s son Justin, who passed away in 2021.  

“It’s somewhat of an international event since Laverne was a Canadian citizen. My family and her family seem to have blended into one after we got married and everyone got along so well. Her daughter, Lana, would come to Whitefish and stay with us for two or three weeks during the summer,” Kavanagh said.  

The 12th annual memorial swim was held on Aug. 10 and was attended by 67 family members, neighbors and other friends. There were 27 swimmers of all ages who attemped the 1-mile fete and most finished, including Kavanagh at age 85.  

“All our participants were encouraged to think about the precious memories of loved ones they have lost while making their way across the 1 mile stretch of lake,” Kavanagh said.  

The festivities continued throughout the day and part of the evening with food, drink, laughter, tears, and the “joy of being together reminiscing about our lost loved ones.” 

    The annual memorial family swim logo. (Photo provided by Kavanagh)