Lois Kay Hinckley Cannon—loving wife and mother, loyal friend, and gifted teacher, passed away October 6, 2018, at her cottage home in Ogden, Utah after a brief, yet courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
"Kay", a leap-year baby and the youngest of eight, was born February 29, 1952, to Arza Athaniel Hinckley and Jessie Erma Taysom in Salt Lake City, Utah.
She was raised in a home where the gospel of Jesus Christ was taught and treasured. With her bright smile and unwavering faith in her Savior's love, Kay simply glowed. As a teenager, she and her sisters (Susan and Louise) had the unique privilege of living in Vancouver BC from 1966-1969, while her father presided over the Alaskan-Canadian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the only member of the Church at Point Grey Secondary School, Kay made the most of opportunities to influence her peers for good. She had a knack for making life-long friends at school, church, and wherever she went.
After the mission, Kay enjoyed her senior year at East High School in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah, where she fell in love with her eternal sweetheart, Edwin Quayle Cannon III ("Ned") in their music appreciation class. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on July 9, 1971, and soon welcomed children into their family circle. Kay cherished her role as mother, wife, and homemaker. She found joy in planting petunias, baking fresh peach pies, singing ridiculously fun songs, and pounding out jazz on the piano. She abounded in good works: delivering dinners to those in need, preparing church lessons and activities, planning family and neighborhood get-togethers. Eager to walk the "path less traveled", Kay enjoyed taking her family and friends on spontaneous adventures, outings, and road trips. Life was never dull with Mom. She was self-motivated, determined to make the most of each day.
As her children grew older, Kay returned to the University of Utah and completed her bachelor's degree in English. She also obtained her teaching certificate and master's in education at Weber State University and began her teaching career at Highland High School and Fairfield Junior High School. Kay then brought her nurturing spirit and passion for life into the classroom at Northridge High School, where she taught for 18 years: English, creative writing, literary magazine, and beginning drama. She loved her students and with attention to individual needs, sincerely strived to help them succeed.
Throughout her life, Kay magnified her church callings as Primary president, Relief Society president, teacher, emergency preparedness specialist, and Primary music leader (one of her most beloved callings). Honoring her pioneer roots, she organized the Deseret Dolls, a camp (group) of Daughters of Utah Pioneers. Kay rejoiced in her calling as Mother and Grandmother. She delighted in the arrival of each of her 23 grandchildren. They were in her daily thoughts and prayers.
After Kay retired as a teacher from Northridge, she and Ned were called to serve as full-time missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Michigan Detroit Mission. Near the end of their mission, they celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary by freshwater Anchor Bay, Lake St. Clair, MI. Serving for 12 months with heart and hands, they developed eternal love for their Michigan family. Kay felt so grateful for this mission experience in the last year of her mortal journey.
Her life of service, filled with joyful enthusiasm and Christlike love, has inspired and touched the hearts of thousands. She will be greatly missed.
Kay is survived by her children, Curtis (Tricia) Cannon, Spencer (Ann) Cannon, Quinn (Barbara) Cannon, Katie (Jared) Costley, Angie (Christopher) Mee; 23 grandchildren; brothers Alonzo Hinckley and Harold Hinckley; sisters JoAnn Peirce, Jean Howell, Susan Thomas, and Louise Crosby. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Arza and Erma Hinckley, and her oldest sister Jessie Milligan.
We wish to express thanks to the many friends and family members who have shown forth tremendous love and support during this time.
Services will be 12 noon Friday, October 12, 2018, in the Ensign Stake Center, 135 A Street, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held prior to the services at the church from 9:30 to 11:40 AM.
The family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society.
