Patricia Canning

Patricia (Pat) Canning, 86, of Montross, Virginia, formerly of North Salem, New York, passed away surrounded by her loving family, on September 15, 2026. She was born in 1939 to Charles Alexander Carlyle and Ernestine Sophia (Hermanowski) Carlyle. She married her high school sweetheart, John Canning, in 1959 and they lived over 30 years in their beloved home John built for them in North Salem, NY, where they raised a family active in their community. Pat’s passion for the natural world was evident to anyone who visited her home, which was surrounded by countless bird feeding stations and frequently served as a haven for rehabilitating injured birds and orphaned raccoons, among other wild critters. She raised several puppies for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, providing them with the foundational love and training needed to guide others. At their home in North Salem, besides the wild animals, were a menagerie of horses, family dogs, cats, rabbits and a goat. Pat worked for the North Salem Town Hall and was an active member of her community, including participating in local and national politics.



Upon relocating to Virginia to finish out John’s long standing career at General Motors, they built a family house on Nomini Bay where they resided for the last 28 years. In Virginia, her involvement with dogs expanded significantly as she became an ardent rescuer of them, saving and rehoming hundreds of dogs over a 20+ year span. Several of her rescues became therapy dogs, bringing joy to hospital patients and helping children find their confidence through reading programs.



Above all, her heart belonged to her family. She was married to her cherished husband for nearly 65 years until his passing in October 2024. Together, they built a legacy of kindness, devotion, and community spirit. She leaves behind three children, Cheryl, Lille and John, and six grandchildren, Maddy, Patrick, Alexa, Will, Nate and Avery, who will forever carry her lessons of empathy, patience, and love for all living things.



Services will be private, but if you wish to contribute in Pat’s memory, please consider making a donation to your local animal shelter, local wildlife rehabilitation center or any animal rescue group in her memory.