Eleanor Cannon

Eleanor Cannon, (August 19,1932- March 10, 2026), wife of Russell A. Cannon, passed away at the Rogue Valley Manor (RVM) in Medford, Oregon with her husband by her side. Eleanor was married to Russell A. Cannon of Wallingford, Connecticut, on June 23, 1956 in Palo Alto, California.

Eleanor was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Stella and James Henderson and grew up primarily in North Plainsfield, New Jersey, with a few years in the Chicago area during the Second World War.

Eleanor (who affectionately went by Elly), graduated with Honors from SMU with a bachelor’s degree in education. She taught school at the Ladera Elementary School in Menlo Park, CA until her children were born. When her children were grown, she went back to school at San Jose State University in California and got a Master’s Degree in Library Science. She worked as a Corporate Librarian for Verbatim in Sunnyvale, CA and retired as a Reference Librarian at the Sunnyvale Public Library.

Elly was very close to both her children and supported and participated in their lives and interests. Her children were both attentive and active in the rehabilitation process Elly underwent after a massive stroke in early 2025. Their daughter, Holly Cannon Dates, currently lives with her husband, Merid D. Dates in The Villages, FL. Elly has one granddaughter, Alena Hoyer, (by Holly and Robert Hoyer), who resides in Coalmont, Tennessee, and who made a fortuitous trip out to see her grandmother 3 weeks before her passing. It was an especially precious and meaningful time for both of them. Their son, Raymond Edward Cannon, is married to John Sullivan; they live in SF, California with their greyhound of 14 years, Figaro. Both Holly and Ray were familiar faces at the Rogue Valley Manor and were blessed to spend so much quality time there with their parents.

Elly was passionate about life and brought an element of joy and wonder to everything she did; whether it was tennis, hiking, kayaking, mahjongg, writing, church work, PEO, PFLAG, or hosting a social gathering among family or friends. Her energy was boundless and she was often referred to as “the energizer bunny,” because her enthusiasm for life knew no limits. She was a woman of courage and conviction and an activist in her own right; someone who pushed the envelope, stood up for what she believed in, and was way ahead of her time. She was also a woman of deep spiritual faith, having been raised a Christian Scientist and finding comfort and friendships in later years at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Medford, Oregon.

Elly lived life in the moment and made things happen. Her tenacious and determined spirit can be glimpsed even in early teaching years, when she fought to move her students’ desks from straight rows to circles with her in the middle to teach. She saw the need for elementary school libraries and implemented them long before they were a common practice. As President of her Sorority, she wasn’t afraid to write a scathing letter to the administration bringing them to task over the atrocities, bigotry, and racism going on behind closed doors. Long before gay activism was acceptable, Elly was President of her local PFLAG {Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays} chapter, marching in gay pride parades and fighting for the rights of all gays and lesbians.

Upon retiring in 1995, Russ and Elly decided to leave their home state of California and join their daughter and her family up in Bend, Oregon. They spent 14 glorious years in Bend developing lasting friendships, enjoying time with their granddaughter, Alena, and the great outdoors. They treasured their years as members of the First Presbyterian Church, Bend and still have fond memories from there. In 2009, with mixed emotions, they decided to sell their home in Bend and settle at The Rogue Valley Manor (RVM) in Medford for their final chapter. For 13 years they lived in a beautiful cottage overlooking the foothills and traveled to exotic places such as China, Greece, Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Ireland, Turkey, Europe, Alaska and enjoyed the continuing educational opportunities that Road Scholars and Olli offered them. In 2022, after experiencing some health challenges, they decided to move to an apartment in the Manor high rise building where they continued to enjoy a beautiful view of the valley and live independently, with private care. The family is indebted to all the wonderful caregivers that graced their home and the friends that stood by Elly’s side as she refused to give up her fight to love and participate in life. As a familiar poem reminds us:

GRIEF never ends

But it changes.

It’s a passage, not a place to stay.

GRIEF is not a sign of weakness,

Nor a lack of faith.

It is the price of LOVE.

For those interested, there will be a Celebration of Life for Eleanor Cannon at the Rogue Valley Manor in the Sunrise Room, Tuesday, March 31st at 2 pm. All are welcome.

In lieu of Flowers, donations can be made to the RVM General Foundation Fund.