Kathleen Margaret Canning

Kathleen Margaret Canning (nee: Bartle) passed away peacefully, in the company of her children, at her home in Bensalem, PA on the morning of March 16, 2026.

Kathy was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Edward Canning, her parents Marge and Frank Bartle, her stepmother Mary Bartle, and her brother Frank (Kathy) Bartle.

Kathy is survived by her daughters Kathy Stettner (the late Michael), Susan Held (Paul Hayden), and Amy Canning (Tyree Jones), her son Edward Canning as well as her grandchildren Laura and Ryan Stettner, Cassandra Maletta (Joshua), Patrick and Joseph Held, Megan and Alexa Horne, Kayla Jones, and Edward, Jacob and Jillian Canning. Also surviving Kathy are her brothers Robert (Debbie), Anthony (Sharon), and William (Sharon) Bartle. Kathy will be missed by her many nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Kathy grew up in the Hunting Park neighborhood of Philadelphia, attending St. Henry’s Catholic School and graduating from Little Flower High School as a member of the class of 1961. Kathy was an accomplished musician in her school years, with a passion for playing piano and violin. She enjoyed performing in concerts and especially appreciated the fact that performance time frequently excused her from physical education class.

During her senior year of high school, Kathy met her future husband Ed at a St. Joe’s Dance. Kathy accompanied Ed to his senior prom at Father Judge High School. Their romance became long distance as Ed served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. They married in the fall of 1965, making their home in Northeast Philadelphia for 25 years before moving to Bensalem in 1990. Kathy and Ed enjoyed a very fulfilling and loving marriage. They were truly best friends who supported one another through life’s challenges and changes.

After high school Kathy worked for the Social Security Department until her first child was born. When her youngest child entered first grade, Kathy began attending Nursing School at Community College of Philadelphia. She graduated with honors in 1982. Kathy worked at Frankford Torresdale Hospital for a year before becoming a visiting nurse with the Visiting Nurse Association of Philadelphia. Kathy soon became a nursing manager at the V.N.A., returned to college to earn her B.S.N. from LaSalle University in 1999, and retired in 2006.

Kathy and Ed raised their four children with purpose and love. They relished celebrating all of their family’s accomplishments, hosting family vacations, Christmas night parties, and family dinners.

Kathy and Ed were long time members of the Delaware River Yacht Club in Philadelphia. They enjoyed sailing their boats the Uptown Girl, Indian Summer, and O’ Baby 2 in the club’s Tuesday night races, trips to Rock Hall, and various other points along the Delaware.

After retirement Kathy volunteered for many years at the Area Office on Aging in Doylestown, PA. She was an expert on Medicare, Medicaid, and understood how to best choose health care plans for senior citizens. Clients would come to her to learn how to manage medical bills, obtain debt relief, and get better health care for lower out of pocket costs. This changed the lives of many people for the better. Kathy was a blessing to many older people in need.

Kathy also volunteered at the Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy. She groomed, bathed, and prepped the horses for the special needs children who rode the horses as part of their therapy. This work satisfied Kathy’s lifelong love of horses as well as her desire to be of service to others.

In their 60’s Kathy and Ed devoted ample time to traveling as often as they could. Their journeys overseas included England, Russia, Ireland, Spain, and Greece. They visited and cruised assorted Caribbean islands and resorts. Their final trip was a grand tour of the United States.

In her final years, Kathy frequently told her family, and recorded in her journal, that she had lived a very good and happy life. She loved her grandchildren, shopping, fashion, sewing, home decor, vacationing with her family in Emerald Isle, N.C., and eating ice cream sundaes with her dear friend Cathie. It was her desire to die peacefully in her own home. It was her children's great pleasure to ensure her wish was granted. Kathy was very loved. She will be missed by her many friends and family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her visitation Monday March 23, 2026, from 10:30 AM to 12 PM at the Tomlinson Funeral Home, 2207 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, PA 19020, followed by her service at 12 PM. Interment will take place at Washington Crossing National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy’s family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society (Please see donation link at the bottom of the page). www.tomlinsonfh.com