Madalene Cannon

Madalene (Kennedy) Cannon, formerly of Windsor Heights and currently of Independence Village of Waukee, died Thursday, January 18, 2024 at home.

She was born August 8, 1930 at the home of her parents, Seth and Helen Kennedy, on beautiful Lake Geneva in North Central Florida. After graduating from high school, she did general office work for two years before entering training to be a Registered Nurse at Riverside Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. As a nurse trainee, she had affiliations at a state mental Hospital and at the Indiana University Medical Center, graduating in 1952.

After graduation, Madalene worked at Riverside, where one evening while on a blind date she met a Marine Sergeant, Harry W. Cannon, Jr. They were married eleven months later, after Harry undertook a vigorous and sustaining courtship, and were happily married for 68 years. Their union was blessed with two children, son, H. Walton, III and daughter, Kimberley.

Madalene enjoyed her nursing career in many positions in several states as her husband attended graduate schools in Texas, Florida, and Georgia. She especially enjoyed bedside nursing and the patient contact that afforded. After 32 years, Madalene retired due to severe back problems which limited her ability to meet the demands of nursing.

She especially enjoyed volunteer work and being helpful to anyone in need. After moving to Windsor Heights, she was a hospice volunteer doing home care for 25 years at Hospice of Central Iowa. Madalene also served in Polk County Victim Services and the American Red Cross, bringing supplies and comfort to victims of crime or fire. For these activities, she earned the Governor’s Award of Volunteerism.

Madalene enjoyed cooking and providing meals to friends. Flowers, family, and fellowship (which she called “visiting”), were always a vital part of her life.

Madalene is survived by her husband, Harry Cannon; son, Walt (Deb Slivinsky) Cannon; daughter, Kim Noyes (Tony Wilburn); granddaughter, Jessica Patterson; great-grandsons, Chase and Brett; sister-in-law, Rosemary (Richard) Watkins; and a host of other beloved family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother.

Madalene’s body will be cremated with a private burial at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 19, 2024 at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. A more informal service will follow with friends invited to linger to enjoy further conversation while partaking of what Madalene called “finger food”.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Windsor United Methodist Church of Des Moines or to St. Croix Hospice.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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