Patricia (Pat) Lyng Canning passed away at her home in Delray Beach, FL on July 19, 2022 at the age of 93. Mrs. Canning was born August 13, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan to Robert Emmet Lyng and Emelia Feldmen Lyng. She was the second daughter of five girls in this family and often referred to herself as the 'boy', preferring the outdoors and always helping on the farm.

Pat's family moved to a farm in Ralls County, Missouri in 1938. She helped work on the farm until leaving for college to attend the University of Missouri in Columbia. During the summers Pat worked in camps for kids in Colorado teaching horseback riding and other sports. Pat graduated with a degree in physical education in 1949 from Mizzou. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Physical Education at the University of Colorado. She taught PE in Shelbyville, Illinois for two years, before moving to St. Louis, Mo. where she continued teaching PE at Ladue School or "Little Ladue", now known as Reed Elementary, for 17 years.

She married Vince Canning, Jr. on October 5, 1968 and moved to Delray Beach, Florida, where Vince owned and operated Vince Canning Shoes until retiring in 1994. While Vince was working in the shoe business, Pat became a full-time volunteer. She loved the children at the Achievement Centers for Children and Families and taught PE from the time it opened in Delray Beach for many, many years. Her directions to children in her PE classes were loud and clear and she never failed to inspire and find successes in every single child.

Always sport-minded, Pat and Vince enjoyed golf, hiking and canoeing. They famously took many nieces and nephews on canoe camping trips to the Canadian Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota and enjoyed the Fall season hiking Acadia National Park year after year. A nature lover, Pat recognized nearly every Florida bird and native animal by sight and sound and led lively tours at Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge for years encouraging her groups to observe both plants and birds for "twice the joy." She enjoyed birdwatching around the world and was a member of the Royal Palm Audubon Society, regularly taking to the shore for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. She was honored for 5000 hours of volunteer work for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Pat was instrumental in the formation of Atlantic Dunes Park on A1A, held many offices in the Delray Beach Garden Club, including 5 terms as President, served 8 years on the City of Delray Beach Beautification Task Force and served on the Delray Beach Library Board. Pat and Vince dearly loved their town and volunteered for several events, most notably helping to build the 100 ft Christmas Tree. Pat and Vince together gave time and treasure at the Caridad Center, were faithful members of St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church and enjoyed daily beach walks. Pat will always be remembered on Nassau Street for her homemade sourdough bread and by friends and family alike for her hospitality at her 'Nassau Inn'.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Vince Canning, their infant daughter Karen, her parents and three sisters, Betty Lyng, Peggy (Lyng) Jones, Kathleen (Lyng) Epperson. Survived by one sister, Jane Coose of Troy, Missouri and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

A private family celebration of her life will be held at a later date.