Barbara L. Cannon

Mom was born March 23, 1930, in Kansas City, Mo. She was blessed to have been adopted by Earl and Lois Summers, two of the kindest, most thoughtful and loving parents she could have ever had. They brought her home to Lewiston when Mom was a baby and lived most all of her life in the same house on 11th Street. Mom attended school here and graduated from Lewiston High School in 1947. She went to school in Spokane to become a comptometrist, then started her working life at the Camas Prairie Railroad. Mom met Dad - Lynn Cannon - somewhere along the line and they were married May 13, 1950, in the First Baptist Church where she was a member and in which we were all eventually raised.

When we kids came along, she took leave from the railroad to stay home with us. After getting us into school, she went back to the railroad until retiring in 1984. Mom and Dad were very involved in the local community. She was Jaycee-ettes Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in 1964. She also served on the board of the North

Idaho Children's Home. We will remember her many hours and days working at the children's home, updating and cleaning and painting. In all of Dad's endeavors, she was there supporting and loving him.

Dad was active in the Masonic Lodge and Shriners and they traveled a great deal for those events. Mom loved to travel. Mom belonged to the Lewiston Eastern Star Chapter. Mom and her best friend (who we lovingly call Auntie Karen) spent many an evening playing Yahtzee and Parcheesi. We can remember many hours of their laughing and cheering as they played.

Mom and Dad bought property near Deary, where we spent many weekends camping, puttering and playing. They spent as much time as possible there and loved every moment of it.

Mom started showing signs of dementia in 2010 and when dad died in 2012, we realized how much dad had sheltered us kids regarding her condition. Eventually, we had to move mom to Royal Plaza. She and her little dog, Riley, appreciated simpler living there and the staff was terrific. In March of this year, as her dementia progressed, mom needed additional care and we found the Golden Girls Manor. We felt so blessed to have her last six months with such loving and caring people. We can't thank them enough for all they did for her.

We were all there when she passed and are thankful that she is now with Dad and free of any pain and confusion. Mom is survived by children Cathy (Steve) Wicks, Sherri (John) Kumm, and Brad (Linda) Cannon; along with her seven grandkids, Amy Knopp, Molly (Jim) Weaver, Bob (Emily) Wicks, Barb (Jim) Graham, Shannon (Eric) Olsen, Megan Neary and Mike (Karey) Cannon; 13 great-grandkids; brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Raydene Willows; niece and nephews Russane (Dan) Rudolph, Alice (Jeff) Hardin and Don Willows.

A funeral service for Mom will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Orchards Community Church, 822 Bryden Ave., Lewiston. A private family burial will be held at another time. Contributions in her name may be made at the Shriners Calam Temple Crippled Children's Transportation Expense Fund, 855 Main St., Lewiston; or Hospice of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Condolences can be sent to Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home.