Died suddenly at her home after a dramatic return of a previous cancer, Patricia Marie Canning, formally of Marystown. Predeceased by her parents Patrick and Helen Canning (Fleming) of Merasheen and Burin respectively and sister Trudy. Survived by her loving husband Richard Cashin whom she adored, her nieces Jennifer and Stephanie Girard and nephew John Paul and her great nephews Jack, Dominic, Henry and Nicholas and great niece Lila of Halifax and Calgary. Also, Richard's children Heidi, Maria and Laurence and her extended family in Antigua. She was a graduate of UPEI (B.A.) and University of Windsor (M.A. and Ph.D.). From 1978 to 1991 she was a professor of Psychology and Director of Child Studies at Mt. St. Vincent University, Halifax and Professor in the Faculty of Education including two terms as Associate Dean of Research and Development at Memorial University. Her review of special education for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador addressed policy and practice in all areas of special needs. She was a pioneer in that she was one of the first who dared to do research in the "real world", to ask and answer questions critical for improving access and quality of services for children and families. Many times she was advised to follow the more conventional path, to carry out laboratory-based research and not venture beyond the walls of the university. But her dedication to do whatever was needed to provide improved services and supports for children and families kept her work rooted in the "real world". She did not bring children and families to the university to study them, she went out: out to communities in Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador to First Nations communities in Ontario, to communities in the Caribbean working with families, service providers and policy makers everywhere she went. A champion for children, especially the most vulnerable, she has left her mark on improved education and community programs and services, including early health promotion services for families, prevention programs for children with special needs and their families, early childhood education and childcare. She has many "firsts" in these areas, firsts that distinguished her work from other researchers and encouraged a generation of scholars in education and psychology to follow her lead. Remains resting at Caul's Funeral Home, LeMarchant Road. Visitation on Friday, November 20th from 2:00 - 9:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 21st at 10:30 am at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Patrick Street, St. John's. In Lieu of flowers donations by be made to the Dr. Patricia Canning Memorial Lecture in Child Health and Development. Patricia was an invaluable member of the team involved in the highly successful early literacy project of Walpole Island First Nation and Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. She supported teachers, school leaders and student and was thrilled at the continuing and most recent success of the children.

"Patricia's ability to reach out to the teachers and her understanding especially of the very youngest children were part of the reason this groundbreaking project worked out so well. As a result, Patricia Canning will live on in the success of countless numbers of Aboriginal students", Paul Martin.

"They are not dead who live in lives they leave behind. In those whom they have blessed, they live a life again..." Hugh Robert Orr.