Jeannine Canniff DuPont

Jeannine Marie Canniff DuPont went to be with Our Lord on November 27, 2021, in Austin, Texas, surrounded by her family. As it had always been her wish not to be a burden to anyone, she suffered a stroke while eating supper at her Hill Country home, and as always, got her wish. Beloved as a selfless giver to so many, Jeannine had volunteered as usual that day at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Austin.

She was born on December 8, 1942, in North Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Francis T. Canniff and Angeline V. Goulet Canniff. She attended Notre Dame de Pitie School and graduated with honors in 1960. She was employed at the Harvard Coop through high school and rose to the position of Assistant Buyer in the Men’s Department after graduation. Jeannine was an avid reader, having at least two books and sometime three she was reading. She also was constantly working on a crossword puzzle.

In 1965 she met her future husband Raymond DuPont during his IBM work assignment in East Boston. Not love at first sight, Ray had to do serious courting to win her heart. They dated while he completed active duty in the U. S. Coast Guard, and about six months after his release, they married at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Medford, Massachusetts, on June 10, 1967.

They settled in Poughkeepsie, New York, where Ray was employed as an IBM electronic technician in nearby Fishkill. Jeannine accepted an administrative assistant position at Black Watch Farms. After their honeymoon, Ray worked full time and started his college education at Marist College with Jeannine’s loving encouragement.

Their first child Melissa was born in 1968. A second daughter Jessica was born in 1969. With Jeannine’s unwavering support, Ray graduated in May 1974. At that time, Marist College honored spouses at a ceremony by awarding them a PhT (Put Hubby Through) diploma. Their son Philip was born in 1975.

In 1976, after shared thought and prayer, the family moved to Austin. This decision proved wise as the DuPont’s helped build a diverse community of people moving from up North to join native Texans.

In 1981 Jeannine again showed her willing flexibility by the family’s move to Burlington, Vermont, for Ray to pursue a Master’s program at the University of Vermont.

Ray’s career required frequent travel, and during his absence, Jeannine proved both a strong partner and fulltime mother managing the household with a loving, disciplined hand. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and serving meals to both family and friends. The grandkids especially loved her brownies and Whoopie pies, and her lasagna and meatball recipes were out of this world.

Jeannine and Ray were founding members of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Austin, and Jeannine served in many parish stewardship positions. In the mid 1990’s, the couple’s Christmas drive to collect presents for the St. Vincent de Paul Conferences around the Austin Diocese resulted in their living room overflowing with donated gifts. In 2009, the St. Thomas More community recognized her leadership with the diocesan Lumen Gentium Award.

For many years Jeannine also volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Travis County, shepherding many children through the Texas child protection system, often involving foster care and adoption.

In 1995, the DuPonts’ shared vision of a home on Lake LBJ to enjoy with children and grandchildren took shape with the purchase of a small weekend residence in Blue Lake Estates. In 2011, the couple embarked on their architectural project of tearing down and building their Hill Country dream home. As Ray recalls, “It was an exciting time especially for Jeannine as she was making so many of the design decisions.” In 2012, they departed Austin and joined the St. Paul the Apostle community at Horseshoe Bay.

For 40 years of their nearly 55-year marriage, Jeannine and Ray served in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, reaching out together to aid needy families during countless home visits. Even after their move, both returned to assist at Austin’s SVdP Thrift Store. On the day of her stroke, Jeannine had worked at its current location on East Braker Lane. It was the last of her many wonderful memories of people coming to the store for purchase of goods, and if no money, free goods. Ray always called her his “solid rock” in his work on the Society’s national level as well as in life.

Her legacy is summed up by a dear Vincentian friend who wrote: “Following God’s plan for her, as she always did, she let go of this world. Jeannine will be in safe and familiar arms. All who knew her will miss that spark from her spirit, her smile, and her faith in practice. God called her in a way as true as the manner in which Jeannine lived ...without hesitation.”

Jeannine was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Francis T. and sister-in-law Elaine Bastarache Canniff and sister Kathleen A. Canniff (Patrick) Jordan; brothers-in-law James F. Coggins, Lester W. DuPont, James Seely, nephews James F. Coggins, Jay M. Coggins, Brian Seely, Eddie Ralston, niece Colleen Jordan, and grandson Christopher Williams.

Jeannine is survived by her husband of 54 years Raymond DuPont, her children Melissa DuPont Newberry (Scott), Jessica DuPont Dapper (John) and Philip DuPont (Jujie Elizabeth Licup-Williams), her sister Elaine Canniff Coggins, brother-in-law Donald P. DuPont (Martha), sisters-in-law Joan Seely and Wanda DuPont along with many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her grandchildren Rachal Newberry, Madison Newberry, Ava Rose Dapper, Lorelei Dapper, and Ryan Dapper.

Visitation and Rosary to celebrate Jeannine’s life will be held at the Chapel of the Hills, 9700 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750 on Friday, December 10, 2021, from 6 to 9 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. Visitation will be held December 11, 2021, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at St. Paul the Apostle Church, 201 Dalton Circle, Horseshoe Bay, Texas 78657 followed by a funeral Mass. A reception will follow the Mass.

In lieu of flowers please send a contribution to in memory of Jeannine:

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul The Society of St. Vincent de Paul

Diocesan Council of Austin St. John/St. Paul Conference

P.O. Box 81511 201 Dalton Circle

Austin, TX 78708 Horseshoe Bay, TX 78657

www.ssvdp.org

Central Texas Food Bank

www.centraltexasfoodbank.org

The Rosary will be live streamed via Zoom.

The Memorial mass will be live streamed via the church's Facebook Page. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.