Sylvia Cannon, 83, of Idaho Falls, passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023, at Turtle and Crane Assisted Living. She was under the care of Enhabit Hospice.

She was born on November 29, 1939, to Thomas Reed Birch and Elieen (Clinkscales) Birch in St. Anthony, ID.  She was raised as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Sylvia's father and mother were dry farmers in St. Anthony at that time.  As a child, she and her friends would swim in the Snake River near St. Anthony Park.

Sylvia met her first husband and father of her children while attending high school in St. Anthony, and they soon married in the Idaho Falls Temple.  Sylvia and her husband had four children:  James Duane Martineau Jr, Maria (Rick) Danielson, David Martineau, and Michelle (Mark) Martineau-Robinson.

Not long after Sylvia was married, she began furthering her education at Ricks College, now BYU-ID.  After completing her courses at Ricks College, she finished her schooling at BYU in Provo, UT.  Sylvia received her Bachelor's Degree and began teaching first graders at Theresa Bunker Elementary.  While Sylvia was earning her degree, her mother Eileen was also completing her teaching degree, so both Sylvia and her mother became grade schoolteachers, at different schools.

Sylvia loved taking her children on car rides, and St Anthony was always a preferred area to take her children and show them where she grew up.  Sylvia spoke fondly of her parents and siblings and loved visiting and laughing with them around her parent's kitchen table.

Sylvia enjoyed music and was an accomplished piano player.  She also stood each week to lead the music in church for primary aged children, and for the congregation during sacrament at her LDS Church.

After her teaching career, Sylvia took a short time off and decided to go back to work, working in Potato Processing Warehouses.  Sylvia fondly spoke of the friends she made while working in potato processing.

Sylvia loved and cared very much for her family.  She loved her children and grandchildren and if they needed it, she would happily help them in any way she could.  Sylvia had a big and compassionate heart and did not want to see anyone suffer.  She was a patient and loving support system for all of her kids, her grandchildren, her friends, and strangers.  There was nothing she wouldn't do for those she loved, her friends, her family, or those in need.  She had a charitable heart.  She cared about all humans and wanted them to feel loved, fed, safe, and warm.  She truly cared about others more than herself.

Sylvia especially loved and was proud of all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed all their laughter and seeing them grow up!

Later in life, Sylvia met Earl Cannon.  They were married on January 9, 2016, at the LDS Church near their residence.  Sylvia's family was really happy she had met such a kind, caring, and loving person to be her husband.  Sylvia and Earl enjoyed socializing with their many friends and members of their church, often going to events to help with charitable acts.

Together, they enjoyed visiting their friends in care centers to be sure they felt loved and bring them much comfort.

Along with Sylvia's love for her husband Earl, her four children, and all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she loved all of the members of Earl's family and his friends.  Sylvia has 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Sylvia was preceded in death by her son James Martineau Jr, her Daughter Maria Danielson, her Grandchild Baby Danielson (stillborn), her Grandchild Blake Knowles Martineau, her Grandchild Aaron Martineau, her sister Deanna Birch, her brother Dan Birch.

Sylvia loved each and every one of these souls. Sylvia loved her mom and dad, her brothers and sisters, her children and grandchildren and her great-grandchildren.  Sylvia especially loved her dear husband and best friend, Earl Cannon.

Sylvia's ancestors and family in heaven are now welcoming her with love.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls.  Visitation be held one hour prior to the service.  Burial will take place at the Ammon Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.