Katherine “Kay” M. Cannon, 83, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2018 with her family by her side. She was born on August 15, 1934, the daughter of George and Calliope (Mouyiou) Markos in Portland, ME.
Kay grew up in Westbrook, graduating from high school in 1952. Her first job was as a secretary for the Mayor of Westbrook. Soon after she married Thomas Johns, had 3 daughters and spent many years as a true Air Force housewife of that era. She was a wonderful cook & sewed all her girls’ clothes right down to their Easter coats.
Kay was a strong willed, proud, fiercely independent and dignified lady. She loved music & would play scores from musicals while her girls sang alongside her. She also enjoyed painting, first learning the art while the family was stationed in Japan, and continuing to enjoy painting with her sisters in later years.
She was very proud of her Greek heritage and was a member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (where she sang in the choir for many years and played the organ) and the Daughters of Penelope, where she had served as President.
Kay met her second husband, Lawrence Cannon, while working at Forest City Chevrolet in the car rental department, as he would fly in from California to visit his mother in Maine. They made a connection, got married and had many happy years together before his passing in 2003.
She loved to entertain and spend time with her sisters and girlfriends. She was an avid bridge player, solved puzzles of all kinds and was a season ticket holder for Lyric Theater for years. As an avid reader all her life, a favorite statement of hers was “If you can read, you can do anything!”
For the past few years, she found a way for the whole family to gather by renting a camp on Little Sebago for a week where everyone could enjoy themselves and spend time together. It was such a gift where memories were made, especially of all the little ones enjoying the water.
She always said she’d never see any of her grandchildren get married, but she went to six weddings! She was also blessed to have 15 great grandchildren.
Kay was the matriarch of the family and will be missed by all. May her memory be eternal.
She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands – Penny and Ben Diaz of Westbrook, Anne and Joe Hall of Limington, and Barbara and Ray Stauble of Harrison; 7 grandchildren – Kate, Maria, Ali, Susie, Jill, Sam and Sudeep; 15 great grandchildren (plus 1 on the way); two sisters – Themia Raymond and Joanne and her husband Angie Glicos, both of Westbrook; several nieces and nephews; and a very special godson, Matthew. She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence, and a granddaughter, Tina Browne.
The family would like to invite you to visiting hours on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, ME, 207-775-3763. A Trisagion Service will be held at 6:00 pm at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 133 Pleasant St., Portland, ME, with a committal service to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Donations, if desired, may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN. 38105 in memory of Katherine.
You may offer your condolences and share your memories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
