Olive Jean (Fairbanks) Cannaby, age 93, passed away on August 18, 2026. Born December 20, 1932, in Hopewell, Pennsylvania, Olive lived a life centered on family, hard work, and creativity.
Olive met her husband and life partner in Niagara Falls, New York, and spent more than 20 years raising their four children as part of a United States Air Force family, traveling throughout the country and overseas to England.
She worked in laundry and housekeeping at WMC until her retirement in the early 1990s. In her spare time, she enjoyed crafting, ceramics, knitting, and especially playing bingo.
Olive was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stephen Cannaby; parents, Paul Louis Fairbanks and Mildred (Semick) Fairbanks; her siblings, Willa Irene Fairbanks Haseley, Paul L. Fairbanks Jr., George Ellsworth Fairbanks, Mildred R. "Sue" Fairbanks Chichester, and Freda Davis Fairbanks; and great-grandson, Drew Wade Bonat.
She is survived by her sister, Stephanie Heizler; children, Deborah Cannaby, Stephen Cannaby (Kathryn), Kathy Cannaby, and Michael Cannaby; grandchildren, Joshua Shepherd (Anita), Siophi Crystal Shepherd, Amber Shepherd, Krishna Dick, Jarrod Cannaby (Julie), Bryan Bonat (Amy), and Dylan Ewalt; great-grandchildren, Stephanie, Shelby, Malachi, Madison, Logan, Khloe, Lydia, Taylin, Merritt, Cole, Seth, Megan, and Avery; and great-great-grandchildren, Ava, Julian, and Vincent.
Olive will be remembered for her devotion to family, her strong work ethic, and the joy she found in life's simple pleasures.
A Graveside service for Olive will be held at 10:00am on Monday, August 24th, with visitation taking place inside an hour prior, at Lakeview Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in the Garden of Apostles, 12100 East 13th Street North, Wichita, Kansas 67206.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ACG Hospice, 2400 North Woodlawn Blvd., Suite 230, Wichita, Kansas 67220
