Louise Y. Canaan

Louise Y. (Dorsey) Canaan was born 3/21/1921, in Mansfield, Louisiana, 1 of 9 children of Lee Bell Dorsey and David Dorsey, both deceased.  Louise attended public school in Desoto Parish Training School and graduated May 1945. She also attended Grambling University for two years earning certification as a LPN.  Louise and family attended True Vine Baptist Church in Louisiana for many years. On February 5, 1949 she and Thomas Newton Canaan were married and had 4 lovely children, 2 daughters (Carolyn and Verilyn) and 2 sons (Alfred and Clarence).  Louise had 8 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. Her family moved to Shippensburg, Pennsylvania in May 1963, after Thomas Canaan retired from the U.S. Army. She joined Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Chambersburg, PA, of which she served as secretary for 5 years; and later moved church membership to St. Peters  AME Church in Shippensburg, PA, holding various church offices.

Louise was employed with Mechanicsburg Naval Depot for 20 years, retiring September 1989 as a supply clerk.  She joined OES in Mansfield, LA in 1950, ANN Garden Chapter #15, Ladies of the Circle of Perfection #14, Morning Bride Court  #29, and Laurel Temple #51.

Louise demitted with Jeptha Chapter #4, 1963, in PA.  She was a Past Matron of Jeptha Chapter #4, Past Most Ancient Matron of Rehab Court #36, a former Dean of the 5th District School of Instruction-OES, a member of the Loyal Lady of the Golden Circle, and a former member of the Steelton Elks-Cyrenus Temple #75, in PA.  Louise loved her Eastern Star and other related Organizations. She was an active and proud member always going and coming, and serving these various organizations in various offices.

Louise’s family was very important to her; she often travelled between PA and LA with husband and children to make the long drive between the two.  Louise has always been a hard worker, outgoing and welcoming with a ready smile, firm but loving mother, woman of God, caregiver, loved to sew, a good cook who loved to bake cakes for her family, and loved gardening and music.  She was well respected in the community, and didn’t take no mess!

Louise was preceded in death by her husband (Thomas N. Canaan), her 2 eldest children Alfred and Carolyn, 7 siblings, a second husband (Phillip), and 1 grandson, Anthony Thompson.

Louise leaves 2 adult children, Clarence Canaan (CA), and Verilyn Canaan Jackson-Downing (AZ); an only younger sister Fannie Harper (CO), 7 grandchildren: Aaron Johnson, Raymar Canaan, Darrin Canaan, Camille Thompson, Dustin Jackson, Danielle Jackson, 26 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren to contribute to her  legacy. She was dear to a host of nieces, 66 nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Louise will be dearly missed.