STELLA D. CANNON- Obituary
Stella D. (née Dottellis) Cannon, 94, on September 15, 2025, in Williamstown, NJ. She was the former wife of the late Herman Short and the beloved wife of the late Johnnie Cannon. Devoted mother to Karen Schneeman (late David) of Clayton; Elizabeth Short of Daytona, FL; Anthony Short of Arcadia, FL; and the late Louis Short. Cherished grandmother of Charity Tkatschenko (Gene), Cheryl Defalco (Chip), Tammy Grady (Brian), Wendy Sauer, David Schneeman (Libby), and AnnaMaria O’Donald (Zach). She also leaves behind a legacy through her great-grandchildren: Dylan, Gregory, Richard, Dominique, Natasha, Ashley, Deandrea, Daniella, Tori, Adrian, Isabella, Ava, and the late Ryan; and her great-great-grandchildren: Gia, Adelyn, Genevieve, Ronan, and Cooper. Her love, wit, and presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Born on June 19, 1931, in Galloway, West Virginia, Stella was raised in the hills of West Virginia before leaving home at the age of 18. She spent the majority of her life in New Jersey and Florida, where she built a vibrant life filled with hard work, family, and community.
Stella’s professional life was defined by her incredible work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. She was the head cashier at Barnhill’s Café for ten years and was a devoted Avon saleswoman throughout her life. She worked in the shoe department at Jamesway in Glassboro and proudly owned and operated Stella’s Luncheonette & Porky’s, a beloved café in Glassboro. She later moved to Ocala, Florida, where she managed a Burger King until her retirement.
Stella was a long-standing member of Saint Catherine of Siena Church in Clayton and an active member of the Clayton Elks Auxiliary for 25 years, where she also served as Chaplain for many years. Her sense of community and faith were important parts of her identity.
In her personal life, Stella was known for her vibrant personality, competitive spirit, and zest for life. She was an excellent baker, especially famous for her cakes and homemade fudge. She loved playing shuffleboard, cards, and games like Scrabble, Yahtzee, solitaire, and Find-A-Words. Her competitive streak was legendary—even her grandchildren weren’t safe from a bit of playful “rule-bending” when she played to win.
A woman with a well-known sweet tooth, Stella never turned down a treat and never missed an opportunity to enjoy time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Her warm heart, feisty humor, and unshakable love for those close to her will live on in the stories and memories shared by all who knew her.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the BARCLAY FUNERAL HOME, 208 Maple Street, Clayton, NJ 08312. Funeral service to begin at 12:00 PM. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Sign the guestbook and send condolences at BarclayFuneralHome.net.
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