Dorothye A. (Marhefka) Cannon

Feb 17, 2026

Dorothye A. (Marhefka) Cannon, 89, unexpectedly passed peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John "Jack" F. Cannon. She is survived by her daughter, Terri Knoll & husband Rickey; son, John F. Cannon, Jr. & wife Maureen. She was the beloved Babci to her five grandchildren, Sydney Azzolino & husband Vinny, Billy Knoll & partner Lesly Guillermo Chauca, Stephanie Alessandrini & husband Marc, Heather Cannon, and Jacqueline Cannon; and great-granddaughter Dottie Rose Azzolino. She is also survived by her many nieces, nephews, and godchildren. The last of her generation, Dottye is pre-deceased by her siblings; Stephanie Kubiac, Statia Martini, Bernice Flannagan, Edward, Frank, Walter, Joseph, and William Marhefka, and loving, later-in-life partner of 20 years, Dick Foster.

Daughter of the late John & Stephanie (Banach) Marhefka, Dottye was born and raised in Clinton, and from a young age worked alongside her parents and siblings selling the famous Marhefka corn for their family farm. After graduating from Clinton High School, Class of 1954, she and Jack Cannon would marry and together raise their family. Dottye and Jack would establish, own, and operate the Checkerboard Restaurant in Clinton for many years. Dottye later worked as a secretary for Clinton Plastics and MWRA before retiring. Later years were spent alongside her daughter Terri, assisting part-time in her business, as the social director at Terri's Total Fitness and as the manager of the Clinton Dairy Queen. Actively involved in her community, Dottye was a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church, and a member of the Emblem Club.

Nothing meant more to Dottye than spending time with her family and friends, from the many family gatherings she hosted through the years, to long phone calls with her many lifelong friends. An avid reader, she loved discussing her latest read or swapping book recommendations. Dottye always made it clear to her loved ones how much they meant to her. She never missed any family event no matter how large or small, and frequently brought balloons and flowers. She loved summer vacations with family at the beach and cherished visits with family, no matter what the occasion.

Dottye loved to knit and crochet, skills she was proud to pass on to her granddaughter. She was a well-respected baker of apple pies, and a fierce competitor of Words with Friends. Dottye had a lifelong love of going dancing, and she could often be seen practicing her polka skills at family gatherings. Proud of her Polish heritage, she will forever be remembered as the cherished family matriarch, known for her zest for life, keen wit, contagious laugh, sense of humor, and her delicious golumpkis.

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 9 until 10:30 a.m. in the Philbin-Comeau Funeral Home, 176 Water St., Clinton, with a Mass of Christian Burial immediately following at 11 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 80 Union St., Clinton. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dorothye Cannon to: Wheat Community Connections, P.O. Box 847, Clinton, MA or Wide Horizon for Children, an organization that blessed her with 2 of her grandchildren. They are located at 144 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453. Online condolences may be placed at www.philbincomeaufh.com