Patricia Cannon

Obituary of Patricia Gray Cannon

Dover-Foxcroft, ME – Patricia Gray Cannon, 83, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2023, at Northern Light Mayo Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft. She was born May 24, 1939, in Somerville, MA, the daughter of James M. and Frances M. (Card) Cannon. She grew up in Hamden, CT and graduated high school in 1957. She went on to earn a degree in History and a minor in German from Case Western Reserve College in Cleveland, OH. She received her Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Colorado. Upon graduation, she moved to Boston and worked at the Boston Public Library for their book mobile program. She delivered books to various underserved neighborhoods to ensure people had access to books. Seeking adventure, Pat moved to California in the Swinging Sixties. She began her life long career as a social worker in East Palo Alto for San Mateo County Social Services. Pat moved back to Maine in 1980 to be closer to her family. She continued in social work and retired from Maine Department of Health and Human Services in Bangor, Maine in 2002. She was proud of her professional career and the opportunities she had to help make a difference in her clients’ lives. Pat loved spending time with her three grandchildren. She recently became an ardent fan of the Penquis Panthers 8U and 10U hockey teams and attended most of the home games. Pat also loved spending summer afternoons with her sister Louise at the Lazare family’s Lake Wassookeag cottage in Dexter, ME. Reading was a cornerstone of Pat’s life. She loved mysteries and Victorian novelists Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. Her favorite book was Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Pat was an animal lover with many beloved pets over the years. Pat could always be counted on for support by family and friends. She was an instrumental caregiver for both her mother and sister Janet who needed constant care at the end of their lives. Patricia is survived by her son, Nick Cannon and his wife, Amy Fagan-Cannon; three grandchildren whom she adored, Natalie, Samuel, and Benjamin Cannon, all of Dover-Foxcroft; and a sister, Louise Lazare of Waban, MA; and several nieces and nephews. Pat is also survived by her dear friends, Patrica Loughery, Brenda Lawson, and Marjorie Lawrence of Maine, and Kay Wright, Malika Wright-Brown, and Pat Wamhof of California. She was predeceased by both her parents as well as by her sisters, Jackie Cannon, Virginia “Ginny” Preston, and Janet Cannon. The family would like to thank the dedicated and compassionate staff at Pleasant Meadows as well as the excellent nursing staff at Mayo Regional Hospital. A heartfelt thank you to hospitalists Dr. Jessica Richmond and Dr. Hosam Abdallah, who provided Pat with extraordinary treatment, allaying fears, and making her comfortable and Dr. Lisa Stout who cared for Pat for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to continue Pat’s lifelong love of reading and have set up the “Patricia Cannon Book Fund” to accept any donations. Donations can be sent to the Thompson Free Library located at 186 E. Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 04426.

Memorial Service

Spring 2023
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