Kathleen A. Canning

Kathleen Antoinette Canning (Kotski), age 76, of Pittsfield died at her home on Sunday, February 12, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born on April 26, 1946 to the late Edward and Kathleen (Coyne) Kotski of Pittsfield and her Great Aunt, the late Margaret Coyne. Kathy was a 1964 graduate of St. Joseph’s High School and then went on to earn her associate's degree from Berkshire Community College in 1966 and both her bachelor’s degree in 1974 and master’s degree in 1984 from North Adams State College (MCLA).  For over 35 years, she taught Latin, Spanish, and Religion for St. Joseph’s High School. Mrs. Canning was a licensed teacher and administrator with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

She was a member of both St. Charles and St. Joseph Parishes.  Kathleen Canning loved her family, friends, and students.  She traveled extensively to the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Germany, the Caribbean, Honduras, Lichtenstein, Oman, Canada, France, Mexico, and the United States.  Many remember her socially for her love of Marlboros, a Manhattan, and good laugh with her Irish tales.  Over the years, she volunteered at BINGO, CCD, magazine drives, musicals, and various student-oriented clubs.  She was a fan of Fox News, crossword puzzles, her childhood doll ‘Ricky’, and was an avid reader.  Kathleen dedicated her life to improving the lives of students entrusted to her care with her inclusionary practices. 

She was married 54 years to John F. Canning of Pittsfield.  She was the mother of Christine Canning (Douglas Wilson-spouse deceased) of Lanesborough; John Canning (Maria Ouelette spouse) of Hopewell Junction, NY; Kathleen Bubniak (Gregory Bubniak spouse) of Oak Ridge, NJ. She had 9 grandchildren: Emily Canning, Katherine Wilson, Andrew Canning, Alex Wilson, Thomas, Patrick and William Bubniak.  She was the sister of Edward Kotski (Rosemary spouse) of Endicott, NY and she had many nieces and nephews: Dawn and Mike Giradina, Stephen and Amy Kotski, Karen and Brian Hatch, Michael and Jody Kotski, John and Amy Kotski, and Kevin and Jenn Kotski, and her grand-niece Amber and Ben Snow. She also leaves her best friends, Rosemary and John McLaughlin and Martha Frisby, as well as her beloved great-grand pets: Angus, Augustus, Henny, Haiku, and Tundrak. She was pre-deceased by her brother, Stephen Kotski and sisters-in-law, Sharlene and Rosemary Kotski.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the VNA, HospiceCare of the Berkshires, and Kathy’s caregiver Linda for making it possible for her to remain at home.

SERVICES: Friends are invited to join with the Canning family on Wednesday, February 15th from 5-7PM at the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday morning at 9am at St. Joseph’s Church with Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Shershanovich, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to "Haiti Plunge" and mailed to the funeral home at 40 Maplewood Ave. Pittsfield, MA 01201