Kathleen Marie Cannon
August 22, 1957 - April 15, 2025

Kathleen Marie Cannon, 67, of McClusky, North Dakota, passed away on April 15, 2025.
Kathy was born on August 22, 1957, in Billings, Montana, to James L. Cannon Jr. and Patricia (Loomis) Cannon. As the oldest of four children, she took on the role of big sister to Mary , Michael , and Christopher with pride, love, and probably some typical older sibling annoyance.
Because of her father's career as a geologist, Kathy's early years were spent in Billings, MT before moving to Denver, CO, and Houston, TX. The family eventually returned to Billings. She graduated from Billings West High School in 1975 and remained close with her fellow "75ers" throughout her life.  In 1979, Kathy married her first husband, Robert "Bob" Mulkey, and that same year, they welcomed their daughter, Kelli, born in the very same hospital where Kathy had been born. The family moved to Belgrade, MT in 1980, where Kathy thrived as a mom. She also cherished the special bonds she built with Bob's daughters, Robbin and Toni, and always had a heart for family, both by blood and by love.
Her passion for animals and her love of learning led her to work as a veterinary assistant, where she found her calling. Through this work, she met her second husband, Jerry "Doc" Kitto. The two married in 1995 and moved to McClusky, ND, where they welcomed foster son Matt Erhart and became well-loved members of the community. Kathy worked alongside Doc at Sheridan Animal Hospital and was a warm, familiar face around town—always ready for a chat at the local high school game, a ride on the motorcycle, or a weekend at the lake.
The light of her life arrived in June of 2003 with the birth of her grandson, Gryphon Mulkey. From that moment forward, she was proudly "Grandma"—playing catch, baking cakes, attending every event she could, and loving him with her whole heart. Gryphon was her joy, and in her eyes, he was always "her boy."  Later in life, Kathy returned to Montana for a short time before deciding that her heart truly belonged in McClusky. There, she spent treasured time with her daughter Kelli, her beloved son-in-law Seth Bopp (with whom she shared a special bond over their love of rockhounding), and her grandson Gryphon.
Kathy will be remembered for her deep love of animals—especially horses and dogs—her fierce love for her family, her passion for rocks and nature, and her radiant smile and laugh that could light up any room. She may have been small, but she was mighty—strong, resilient, and full of love.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents James and Patricia, her foster son Matt Erhart, and her dear friend and stepdaughter Toni (Mulkey) LePage.
She is survived by her daughter Kelli (Mulkey) Bopp and son-in-law Seth Bopp; her grandson Gryphon Mulkey; her sister Mary Swartz; her brothers Michael and Christopher Cannon; stepdaughter Robbin; nieces, nephews, and countless friends and loved ones who she made family, often giving them special nicknames and never missing a chance to say "I love you."
A memorial to celebrate Kathleen's beautiful life will be held at a later time.