Mary Sue Cannon

May 26, 1936 - July 30, 2016

A wonderful and loving soul stepped from this world into eternal life on July 30, 2016. Mary Sue Cannon escaped the clutches of cancer and died peacefully at home surrounded by those she loved and those who loved her. Born in Walnut Ridge, AR on May 26, 1936, she spent thirty years as an employee of Amerock Corporation in Rockford, Illinois. Mary Sue spent time with her friends and family, raising her five children and doting on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was dedicated to her family and friends and enjoyed helping others, reading any book she could find and would never have turned down an offer to go shopping. In her retirement years she found great joy and satisfaction in being an extraordinary mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She said "I love you" every time she hung up the phone or said goodbye to one of them. Her family is sure she would want them to continue to say that to each other. Often. Survived by her children, Kimberly (John) Firestone of Tulsa, OK, Robert (Brenda) Owens of Cabot, AR, David (Colleen) Owens of Grass Valley, CA and Jason (Jennifer) Cannon of Rockton, IL; siblings, her sisters, Sharon Booker, Kathy Smith and brother, Lee (Penny) Harbison; grandchildren, Amanda, Alex, Olivia, Sheila, Christine, April, Kaitlyn, Emily, Mike, Jordan and Victoria; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Murphy and Shelby; as well as several nieces and nephews who have many joyful memories of her presence in their lives. She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Owens as well as her parents, Lehman and Ruby Harbison, her step mother Lavicia Harbison and her brother, Gary Harbison. Mary Sue's life was a sweet blessing to those who knew her. Our loss is most definitely heaven's gain. A special thanks to her granddaughter and namesake, Mary Amanda, for spending several months providing care for her during her illness....and especially for brightening her days. Thanks too, to her caregiver, Keisha and to the chaplain and staff of Heartland Hospice, who provided expertise, support and compassion which led Mary Sue to find peace in her final days. Celebration of her life will be on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at The Terrace Apartments Community Room, 2321 Halsted Road, Rockford, Illinois 61103. Grace Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family. Share a memory or condolence at www.graceFH.com