Debora Ann Cannon

Debora Cannon
Richfield, Utah

     Debora Ann Fuller Cannon, age 65, died peacefully, surrounded by family on July 4, 2024 at the Sandstone Care Center in Richfield. Debbie was born in Ridgecrest, California on September 12,1958 to Ernest John Fuller and Alice Jane Lund. She was the middle child of three girls and enjoyed climbing, running, dancing, horseback riding, water and snow skiing, and photography. She was very athletically gifted. Debbie loved animals, and in her youth purchased her own horse and alligator and for a time owned a deer. Most of her childhood years were spent in Las Vegas, NV, but she also lived in California and Florida.  
     During her early teen years, Debbie was drawn to the gospel of Jesus Christ and was baptized as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 13 on March 25,1972. She was taught in her home about the Savior and she later learned that many of her ancestors were also members of the LDS faith. As a new convert to the church, Debbie met Margaret “Megan” Stromer Albright and together they formed a divine and lasting bond, helping both of their families come closer to Christ. Debbie’s mother chose to be baptized in 2008, in the latter years of her life. Debbie was a faithful link to many generations in her family.  
     Debbie attended Brigham Young University, majoring in Marine Biology and later Psychology. She met Curtis Witt Cannon and they were married August 25,1978 in the St. George, Utah Temple. In the following years, Debbie and Curt welcomed two children, Brent and Elise, into their family  while Curt completed a degree in Accounting and received a Doctorate of Law at BYU. In 1982, Debbie and Curt moved to San Antonio. 
     Before Elise was born, Brent was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at 16 months of age. Debbie tirelessly cared for Brent and Elise as Brent underwent years of chemotherapy at the Methodist Children’s Hospital in San Antonio. She and Brent had many confirmations of their faith and Christ’s love for their family as Brent’s condition declined. After battling cancer, Brent left this life in April of 1984 at the age of 4. As Debbie and Curt mourned their loss they were inspired to volunteer for many years thereafter at the Children’s Hospital, planning events and serving other families dealing with childhood cancer. She shared her knowledge of God’s plan with many bringing comfort to those who were mourning.  
     In the following years, Debbie and Curt, welcomed daughters Kirsten and Megan to their family. Throughout the time Elise, Kirsten and Megan were in their school years, Debbie was actively engaged in the PTA and volunteered in many capacities in the Northeast Independent School District, including advocating for children’s involvement in the arts, and organizing numerous talent and variety shows. All who worked in the district knew Debbie. They welcomed her energy, charisma, vivaciousness, and natural inclination to lead through inclusion, organizing and serving.  
     At times, Debbie held home-school for her daughters and always encouraged them to participate in sports, play musical instruments, and to become avid readers and learners. She had a deep love of learning. All three girls played multiple instruments and became highly proficient in piano, participating in local and regional competitions. Debbie also shared her love of animals with her family, opening their home to family dogs and to the occasional exotic pets like an opossum or tarantula. At one point, the Cannon household was home to 13 various pets. 
     Debbie was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various capacities in her local church ward and stake. She was a member missionary in the truest sense of the term and never shied away from sharing her stalwart testimony of Jesus Christ and the restored gospel. Friends and family described Debbie as a force to be reckoned with and a natural leader. She lived by the mantra that nothing was impossible, and always turned to the Lord for help in solving problems and finding inspiration. When faced with a challenge, she was often heard saying, “Let’s just go for it!” In fact, in her final hours, she was heard saying she was visiting teaching and “I’m just going to go for it!”  
     Debbie had a charismatic personality and drew people in wherever she went. She radiated a love of life. Clearly, Debbie was never far from her Savior as the veil was often thin for her. She was blessed with many gifts of the Spirit, including the gifts of discernment, a forgiving heart, and unconditional love. Part of her life’s mission was to search, find, love and encourage those who felt they were not valued, and she truly fulfilled this mission by the many lives she touched. 
     She always had a deep and fierce love for her children, her husband, which expanded to her sons-in-law and 15 grandchildren. Her laugh was infectious and could be heard from far away. In recent years, Debbie became a paraprofessional, returning to the school setting to share her love and talents with special needs children and their families.  
     In her last years of life, Debbie battled many health issues, such as losing all her hearing and being diagnosed with uterine cancer. She endured these burdens with the help of Christ and a large circle of loving family and friends. Being the warrior that she is, she continued her love of learning by practicing American Sign language, which her daughter Megan used to help communicate with her. She was a positive and loving influence. In her final hours, Debbie sought to connect with and reassure her loved ones. To her family, it was fitting that Debbie chose to pass during the waning minutes of Independence Day, a holiday that she loved and revered. The 4th of July will forever hold new meaning for her surviving family, serving as reminder of Debbie’s radiant and sparkling mortal life.  
     Debora is survived by her father Ernest “Ernie” John Fuller; husband, Curtis Witt Cannon; daughters and sons-in law: Joyce Elise & Gerald “Sam” Hodgkinson, Kirsten & John Sholtz, and Megan & Joel Warren; sisters: Theresa & Gil Montoya and Michelle Fuller; 15 grandchildren; many brothers and sisters-in-law; cousins and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her son, Brent Curtis Cannon; mother, Alice Jane Lund Fuller; in-laws Joyce Dolores Witt Cannon & Edward Callister Cannon Senior; niece, Brandy Rochelle Fuller and nephew, Daniel Christopher Morton. There are many on the other side we know are excited to greet her. 
     Cremation held in the Magleby Mortuary and Cremation Center. Memorial services will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 11:00 am in the Richfield 11th Ward. Burial will be in the Richfield City Cemetery. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com
     In lieu of flowers, please honor Debbie, who loved missionary work, and donate to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Missionary Fund at https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/contribute/church/missionary-fund