Lois Kathryn (Hixson) Cannon, 96, a long-time resident of Hadley, passed away on January 21, 2016, at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst.  

Born in 1919, Lois was raised in Gettysburg, South Dakota, a small town on the prairie. Growing up in the Great Depression, her childhood memories included twisters, prairie fires and blizzards, as well as happy times with a loving, close-knit family. She graduated as co-valedictorian of the Gettysburg High School Class of 1936. She attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, SD,  receiving a B.A. with honors in 1940. Following graduation, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse in rural South Dakota.

In 1944, Lois married George W. Cannon, Ph.D., and left the Midwest, moving first to Philadelphia and, following World War II, to MA where her husband taught at the University of Massachusetts for 35 years. While raising three children, Lois volunteered with numerous organizations including the Cooley Dickinson Hospital and “Round the World Women,” and was active in the Wesley Methodist Church. She was a master weaver, an accomplished seamstress, a gardener, and grower of orchids. 

Lois is survived by three children, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Children: James Cannon (Marjorie) of Penfield, NY; Rebecca Lindsey (Edgar) of Amherst, MA; Deborah Ponce (Vincent) of Tolland, CT. Grandchildren: Heather Brown, Mark Cannon (Molly), Sarah Cannon, Benjamin Cannon, Kathryn Lindsey (Aditya Khanna), Eric Lindsey, Jennifer Lindsey, Lisa Ponce, Colin Ponce and Ryan Ponce. Great-grandchildren: Jacob Brown, Morgan Brown, Reed Cannon, Reagan Cannon, Madelyn Cannon, Oliver Stamey and Noah Stamey. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Mary Hixson of Bismarck, ND. Lois was predeceased by her husband George; parents Harry and Lisa Hixson; three brothers Robert, William and Donald Hixson; and many friends. 

The burial and memorial service will be private.