Roll Call Tribute

Marie Annette (Homeyer) Canning 

June 20, 1956 - September 8, 2023 

Marie Homeyer Canning passed to her eternal home early Friday morning, September 8, 2023, in the loving embrace of her sons and husband at the age of 67.

Marie was born on June 20, 1956, to Irvin and June Homeyer in Navasota, Texas. She attended Navasota schools and graduated from Navasota High School in 1974. She then attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism in 1978. Marie served as an editor of the Battalion Newspaper, the Texas A&M University newspaper, prior to her graduation.

She began her professional career serving as a layout editor with the Big Spring Herald newspaper in Big Spring, Texas. During her time with the Herald, Marie earned recognition for her page layout work from the Harte Hanks newspapers and the Associated Press.

Marie met her future husband, Barry, while living in Big Spring. The couple became engaged and then married on December 27, 1980, and moved to Lubbock, Texas after their wedding. While Barry completed his college studies, Marie worked as a layout editor with the Lubbock Avalanche Journal until Barry’s graduation in 1981.

In September, 1981, the couple moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They later settled in Grapevine, Texas in 1982 where they made their home for the remainder of Marie’s life. While living in Grapevine, Marie worked as a stay-at-home mom for their two young boys, Matthew, born in 1983, and Benjamin, born in 1986. Later she would work for two construction companies in the DFW area before securing employment in 1995 at the Grapevine Public Library, where she would work until her retirement in 2015.

She was an avid reader, lover of novels, country western music, a talented dancer, high school tennis player and the first drill team captain for her high school. In addition to these, she was a faithful Christian and enjoyed working with children at Vacation Bible School and Christmas Camp events at the church in Dallas attended by her and her family. She and her husband participated on mission trips for several years upon retirement earning lifelong friends along the way.

Marie was a huge sports fan and a great supporter of her sons’ athletic efforts. She was the epitome of a hockey mom and served on the board of the Grapevine High School Hockey Association. She also loved supporting her beloved Aggies sports programs and the Texas Rangers. Her civic involvement included serving as president of the Cannon Elementary School PTA while her sons were attending school there.

The last few years of her life were marked by a battle against a long progressive neurological disease that eventually took away her ability to walk and talk. Her body slowly grew weak, and she eventually succumbed to heart failure in the loving arms of her family. But, through the disease, she was still able to laugh and flash her infectious smile warming the hearts of her family until her passing. Her sons and husband lovingly held her as she gently passed to her eternal home.

Marie is preceded in death by her father, mother and aunts and uncles. She is survived by Barry, her husband of 42 years, son Benjamin, son Matthew, daughter-in-law Lisa and grandson Aidan, three brothers, three nieces and a nephew. In addition to her immediate family, Marie is survived by her uncle, Fred Homeyer, cousins and a number of great nephews and nieces.

Her family, while saddened, rejoices in the removal of her pain and infirmities that plagued her for so long. She has her new body in heaven and is now surrounded by complete love. We miss you, sweetheart. God’s grace and peace to you.

Viewing will be Friday, September 15, 2023, between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 11425 Marsh Lane, Dallas, Texas. A graveside service will be held at 12:00 PM, September 16, 2023, Bluebonnet Hills Cemetery, 5725 Colleyville Blvd. in Colleyville, Texas followed by a memorial service and reception beginning at 2:00 PM, Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marie’s memory to Holy Cross Lutheran Church general fund.

IN THE CARE OF
J.E. Foust & Son Funeral Directors