Mary Jeanne Canning

On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, Mary Jeanne Canning, loving aunt, sister and daughter passed away at the age of 84 in Monroe Township, NJ.

Mary Jeanne is the daughter of Alphonsus and Regina Murphy Canning, both of New York City. She is preceded in death by her brother Richard Canning of Queens, NY. She is survived by eight nieces and nephews: Sheila, Paul, Denise, Eileen, Jerome, Michael, Daniel, and Theresa and their spouses.

Mary Jeanne was born June 6, 1937 in Jackson Heights, NY in the midst of the Great Depression. She was baptized in St. Aloysius Parish in Corona, Queens and attended St. Bartholomew School in Elmhurst, NY. After graduating from Our Lady of Mercy Academy in Syosset, NY, she spent much of her working life in Customer Support roles for NY Bell in Brooklyn, NY.

Mary Jeanne devoted her time to her family, faith, and her Irish heritage. During adulthood, she lived with her mother, Regina, in a second floor apartment on the corner of Northern Boulevard and 91st Street in Jackson Heights. A constant presence at all holidays, family events and milestones, her summer trips into "the city" for sightseeing were eagerly anticipated and long remembered by the Canning children. Her family cherished the annual Thanksgiving gathering in the Jackson Heights apartment as a particularly special occasion for a day of family, food, frivolity and football. Over the years she remained close with her cousin, Bob Redmond through visits to his home in Albertson, Long Island. She was a regular churchgoer and involved in her parishes as a eucharistic minister. As the granddaughter of Irish immigrants, she delighted in sharing her Irish heritage with those she met, especially if it involved a glass of Scotch and soda!

Mary Jeanne was a New Yorker through and through. She could rightfully claim to be an original fan of the NY Mets and attended many summer games at Shea Stadium, a stone's throw from her home in Jackson Heights. No spot was too small for her parallel parking skills, and she fearlessly mixed with other aggressive NYC drivers. Always feisty and ready with a witty remark, she brought her New York sensibility with her wherever she went.

In the latter years of her life, Mary Jeanne moved to the New Jersey suburbs to be closer to her family and goddaughter Sheila Canning, settling in Dayton, NJ. Mary Jeanne lived comfortably in a town house surrounded by her family, Irish heritage, and her faithful dog, Rosie. In the final years of her life, Mary Jeanne settled at the Chelsea Assisted Living Residence where she made many friends and was known to residents and staff members for her quick wit and gregarious personality.

Mary Jeanne is reunited with her parents Al and Regina and brother Dick in heaven. She was cared for in her last hours by her nieces Sheila and Eileen, and passed away peacefully having lived a life devoted to family, faith and hard work.