Cannon, Viola Jean Wagner December 16, 1929 - June 16, 2025

Viola Jean Wagner Cannon December 16, 1929 – June 16, 2025

Viola Jean Cannon, affectionately known to all as “Jean,” was the second child born to George P. Wagner and Viola Spielmann Wagner. She was preceded in death by her brother, George C. Wagner, and her stepsister, Nancy Wagner Bradley. Jean is survived by her sister, Mary Louise Wagner Quebedeaux, who resides in Anaheim, California, from her father’s marriage to her stepmother, Jeanette L. Wagner.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Jean spent her teenage years in Mount Vernon, New York, attending local Catholic schools. After the loss of her mother in 1941 at the tender age of 11, she often credited the nuns of her Catholic elementary school with guiding her through those formative years.

Jean was a trailblazer in her family, becoming the first woman to graduate from college. She earned her degree in Mathematics from Douglass College at Rutgers University at the age of 20.

She spent most of her professional career at IBM, where she excelled as a computer programmer and was widely recognized for her talent. It was at IBM that she first met her future husband, John Francis Cannon. After diligently saving pennies in his desk drawer and gathering the courage to ask her out, the two ultimately married on June 25, 1960.

Jean continued her work at IBM up to the birth of their third child, supporting John through Harvard Law School and helping to raise their growing family.

She and John shared a remarkable nearly 65-year marriage and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2025.

Jean is lovingly remembered by her husband, John F. Cannon, and their four children: Maryl Cannon (husband John) Apadula, John P. (wife Modi Celia) Cannon, Paul A. Cannon, and Elizabeth Cannon (husband Padraig) Mullen. She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, who were a constant source of immense pride and joy.

Jean’s life was deeply rooted in faith, humility, and quiet strength. She was known for her boundless kindness, unwavering moral clarity, and profound devotion to family and community. Her enduring legacy lives on in the many lives she touched through her grace, generosity, and steadfast love.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jean’s childhood parish, Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Fleetwood, New York (https://stspeterpaulandstursula.churchgiving.com/). This church, founded the year of her birth, was also the setting for her wedding.