Carla Lani Cannon's Obituary
Carla Lani Cannon, passed away February 17, 2011, in South Jordan, Utah, from a brain tumor. Born Oct. 29, 1945, she was the second of six children born to D. James and Elaine A. Cannon, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother James Q. Cannon and his first wife, Christine Jacobsen Cannon; sister Christine Cannon; and brother Anthony Joseph Cannon. She is survived by sisters Susan Cannon McOmber (Bryant) Palo Alto, CA, and Holly Cannon Metcalf (Richard) Seattle, WA, as well as dozens of adoring nieces, nephews and cousins. Carla grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, attending East Millcreek and Dilworth Elementary schools, Hillside Junior High, and Highland High School. After graduating with a BA in French from the University of Utah, she lived and worked in Washington, D.C., for Colorado Congressman Brotsman; in Palo Alto and Menlo Park, California, for Sunset Magazine and Lane Publishing; in Salt Lake City, for Congressman Dan Marriott and Congressman David Monson, as administrative assistant at All-West Claims, and as editor of the Brite Music newsletter. Carla spent the most recent six years living and working in Sun River and St. George, Utah. Carla had a fascination for world history, in particular French and British history. She delighted in travel and in creating interesting itineraries. Hawaii was a special place to Carla. Her father, Jim, who served a mission to Hawaii and greatly loved the Hawaiian people, gave Carla a Hawaiian middle name. Jim often used Hawaiian phrases in the home and played the ukulele, serenading the children with Hawaiian songs. Carla joined the Navy Aviation Reserves attached to the Joint Intelligence Center of the Pacific at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She served seven years. A passion for family history took hold at a young age when Carla received her first camera and began documenting family memories and events. She created an invaluable collection of ancestral and family photographs. Devoting thousands of hours to genealogical research, Carla submitted an impressive number of names for temple ordinances. Carla also served a Church mission for several years doing French name extraction. Included with other favorite callings, she loved working with Primary children teaching music and lessons. As the older sister of three younger girls, Carla organized a sisters’ quartet whom she taught to harmonize. They continued singing together for many years. From early high school through college and beyond, Carla was also part of a popular singing group called the Hi-Notes which performed at many venues around Salt Lake City. Recently, Carla fulfilled a life-long dream of writing text for a hymn which she paired with a Chopin etude. Friends have described Carla as good natured, generous, compassionate, non-judgmental, loving and full of creative and interesting ideas. Her stories of family experiences have delighted her nieces and nephews over the years, who have designated Carla as Favorite Aunt. She will be dearly missed and clearly and lovingly remembered. The family suggests donation to LDS Church Humanitarian Aid Center or to the Perpetual Education Fund. Memorial service on February 22, 2011 at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may visit with the family beginning at 11 AM. Interment in Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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