Virginia Beesley Cannon, 94, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother passed away peacefully November 8, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was reunited with her eternal companion, Heber Stanley Cannon. Virginia was born on February 5, 1925 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the second of four children born to Wilford Angus and Evangeline Thomas Beesley.
Virginia loved growing up in the Capitol Hill area of Salt Lake City. It was a warm, loving neighborhood where friends and neighbors gathered often. Wintertime was a favorite of Virginia's, as the children would sled and skate down the steep hills in the neighborhood.
Virginia deeply loved her older sister and two younger brothers. She fondly remembered family trips and Christmas traditions. She especially enjoyed visiting neighbors and family on Christmas Day.
Virginia graduated from West High School, where she was involved in many activities. She served as student body historian and was a member of the newspaper and yearbook staffs. She went on to graduate from the University of Utah in Elementary Education. In college she joined the Chi Omega Sorority where she found many life-long friends, who were especially important during the difficult years of WWII.
On August 20, 1946, Stan and Virginia were sealed by President David O. McKay in the Salt Lake Temple. They loved and cared for each other for 65 years.
As a devoted mother of six children, Virginia spent countless hours teaching, training and helping each individual child. Her children fondly remember many late night conversations with Mom, ending with her falling asleep on their bed.
Virginia was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her love for the Savior never wavered. She served in many ward and stake callings. She had a special love for children and Primary. She was called to serve on the Primary General Board of the church in 1967, where she served for 13 years. In April of 1980 she was called by President Spencer W. Kimball to serve as 1st counselor to Dwan Young in the General Primary Presidency. During their eight year tenure as a presidency, they oversaw many changes in the Primary program. Their responsibilities included implementing new lesson manuals for each of the Primary classes and managing the move of Primary from a weekday activity to the Sunday block schedule. Virginia used her expertise in music to oversee the compilation of the "Children's Songbook." She was later encouraged to write a companion book telling about the background of each song and giving teaching ideas.
Virginia had many talents and passions. These included sewing, hand quilting, knitting, playing the piano, singing, candy making, and tennis. She was the consummate sports fan. She followed many sports teams and players, especially the Utes basketball and gymnastics. You could always find her watching a tennis match and she loved to reminisce about going to the US Open in New York.
Her family has been blessed by her many talents. She presented a hand-pieced quilt to each grandchild when they married and she knitted a sweater, dress or hat for each great-grandchild. She remembered every family member's birthday and sent yearly cards to each one.
Virginia is survived by her children Bryan (Dana) Cannon, Gary (Lisa) Cannon, Scott (Karee) Cannon, Allison (Roger) Olson, Ann (Nathan) Clark, Carolyn (Joel) Wyner, 29 grandchildren, 85 great grandchildren, and her brothers Bill (Janie) Beesley and Garry (Diane) Beesley. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and her sister and brother-in-law, Beverly (Foley) Richards.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at the Valley View Chapel located at 3820 South 2000 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday, November 22nd from 6-8 p.m. at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah and from 9:30-10:45 a.m., prior to the funeral service at the chapel.
