Veronica Cannon, 85, of Wilmington, and formerly of Greenwood, died Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004 at HCR/Manor Care of Brandywine Hundred, where she relocated for care in early 2002.
Mrs. Cannon was born the eleventh of 12 children in rural Reed City, Mich. on Feb 8, 1919 to the late Phillip Kailing and Johanna (Costello) Kailing.
She graduated from Reed City High School and received a degree in rural Elementary Education from Kalamazoo College, now Western Michigan University. For six years she taught grade school in one-room school houses in Osceola County, MI.
During World War II, she was active in the USO through which she met her late husband of 57 years, Norman H. Cannon, then of Bridgeville. They settled in Greenwood after the war.
Mrs. Cannon was a dedicated family woman and tenacious advocate who worked in her church, school and family-related civic organizations. She delighted in seeing all children learn. She pursued interests in current events, public affairs, conservation and wildlife.
She was a pioneer parishioner of Our Lady of Lourde's Catholic Church, Seaford. There she taught catechism for decades, including many confirmation classes and was a mentor to many adults in several lay ministries. She was the first female Eucharistic Minister in her parish and was a member/officer of Pastoral Council for many years. She was active with the Liturgy Committee, BVM Sodality, Ladies Guild Bridgeville, St. Anthony's Resale Shop, Bible Study and Prayer groups. She loved sharing her faith through educational and social services in the Church and community.
Mrs Cannon was an honored lifetime member of the Delaware State PTA in which she held several offices for many years in Greenwood and Woodbridge PTA's, Delaware State PTA, and State Executive Board. She was an active delegate to President Jimmy Carter's White House Conference on Families and the subsequent Action Committee. She was a member of the Delaware Foster Care Review Board for several years.
She was a community captain for March of Dimes and American Cancer Society funds campaigns.
Mrs Cannon was preceded in death by her husband, Norman H Cannon, who died in November 2002; a son, Thomas E. Cannon; a grandson, Phillip A. Cannon III; and all her siblings.
She is survived by four sons and three daughters, Philip A. Cannon II, (and his wife Connie) Oak Lawn, IL; Ann M. Cannon, East Windsor, NJ; Mary E. Cannon, Bear; Patrick J. Cannon (and his wife Kathleen), Greenwood; Jeffrey A. Cannon, Greenwood; Nora Cannon Evans, Wilmington; and Kenneth K. Cannon (and his wife Pam), Harrington.
She is survived by seven grandchildren, Janelle Cannon, Jamie Cannon, Colbi Cannon, Katie Evans, Dawn Cannon, Carlea Cannon and Christine Evans; and three great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Kenneth Loomis, Cadillac Mich. and Virgil A. Cannon, Bridgeville; and one sister-in-law, Elnora Whiteley, Seaford.