Mary Jean Cannata

Mary Jean Cannata passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 99, on Jan 21, 2016, in her home of 48 years, fulfilling her wish to remain in her home for the rest of her life. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, to Italian immigrant parents, the first of three children, she eventually married her husband, John, and raised two children, John (Jack) and Maryjeanne (Jeanne). She and her family of four moved out to Antioch, in 1947, as a result husband John’s transfer to the US Steel plant in Pittsburg. While raising a family, she also pursued a career, working first for the Army at Camp Stoneman in Pittsburg, and eventually becoming the private secretary to the Commanding Officer at the Navel Weapons Station, Concord, CA. She spent 26 years there, gaining the respect of the military and civil service contingency on the base, and the community at large. Her excellence and prowess at her job put her in touch with many of the Washington DC military elite, creating life-long friendships with many of the Admirals, congressmen and senators.

Outside of her work environment, Mary became very active in the community, from supervising poling places for elections, to being instrumental in creating the Antioch Sister City program with Chichibu, Japan, making many visits there herself, and hosting dignitaries from Japan. She got involved credit unions in Contra Costa County, and helped open many new branch offices. She had a great love for her heritage and became very active with the local Sons of Italy, becoming Venerable of the local chapter, and eventually becoming Grand Venerable of the western states. She was very active with a women’s organization affiliated with the Catholic Church, YLI (Young Ladies Institute), becoming President and then Grand President. She also started Jr YLI for teen girls. Later, after she retired, she volunteered at both Sutter Delta Hospital, and Kaiser clinic, and eventually ran the gift shop in both of them. She was awarded a pin for 35,000 hrs of volunteer work with Kaiser.

Mary’s devotion to her Catholic faith was limitless, and was regarded as the matriarch at Sunday mass at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, as well as all the other services she regularly attended. Mary is survived by her son, Jack and his wife, Mary Kathryn, her grandchildren, Adam, Jeffrey, and Courtney, and their families.

Family and friends are invited to attend her Memorial Funeral Liturgy on Friday, February 5, 2016, at 10:30am at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd., Antioch. Her family requests and would prefer memorial contributions to the Building Fund of the Church. Reception immediately following in the adjacent parish hall.