Emily Katherine Anderson Canine died April 15, 2024, just shy of her 100th birthday.   Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, May 26, 1924, she was the daughter of Dr. Walter Thomas Anderson, MD, and Emily Canby Anderson.

She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, William Leland Canine, who died in June of 2007; her sister, Marylouise Anderson who died in 2021; and her eldest son, David Bryant Canine, who died in 2022. She is survived by her son Andrew L. Canine of Lexington, VA (Sande); daughter Helen C. Roman of Columbia, SC (Charles); daughter Amy C. Kissane of Athens, GA (John); and daughter-in-law Theresa Roffino of Dallas (widow of David B.). She was also the proud and loving grandmother of nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.

Emily grew up in Detroit, MI, and remembered fondly the excitement of being a firsthand witness to the great expansion of the automobile, as Detroit became one of the largest cities in the country. In 1942 she set off for Duke University and joined Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and was named to Chi Delta Phi, the honorary literary society (she was in a creative writing class with William Styron, who was a friend and became a literary giant). At Duke, as a freshman, she met the love of her life, upperclassman Bill Canine. Bill graduated early in fall 1943 and volunteered to serve in the Marine Corps in the Pacific.

Throughout their time apart, Emily wrote Bill daily, a bond that by all accounts sustained him before he returned from the war in early 1946. They were married in the Duke Chapel on May 25th, 1946, the day she graduated. Their memories of Duke were a centerpiece of their marriage, and that love was passed to children and grandchildren.

Bill and Emily lived in many places over the years—Chicago; Durham and Pittsboro, NC; Roanoke, VA; Silver Spring, MD. In 1972 they moved to Newberry, SC, where they both lived out their lives. Throughout her adult life, Emily enjoyed singing with church and city choirs, including the Duke University Choir and Roanoke City Choir. She was an accomplished seamstress. She and Bill loved music and loved to ballroom dance to the Big Band music of their beginnings and to host parties. Their family Christmas traditions were treasured by their children and those traditions and stories have been passed down to grandchildren.

Emily was an avid reader, and she made sure her children were as well, always making a visit to the local library a priority whenever they moved to a new town. Emily raised her four children and stayed busy outside of family, over the years, being a member of the League of Women Voters, American Association of University Women, Democratic National Party, Duke Alumni Association, and the Episcopal Church Women, including at St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Newberry. She held multiple leadership positions in various organizations throughout her life. She started substitute teaching in Silver Spring and continued for many years, often substituting in Helen or Amy's classes. Before retiring, she served as the Executive Director for the Newberry County Council on Aging and worked with the agency for the developmentally disabled. Finally, she loved family vacations at the beach, working crossword puzzles, golfing, and walking...and, if you set out to walk with her, you had better be ready to keep up the pace.

Emily had a wonderful sense of humor, lived fully, was always willing to try something new, listened to and supported her children and grandchildren in any and all endeavors, and was grateful for every day she was granted. She was greatly loved and will be equally missed. Rest in peace Mama/Grandma/Mimi.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Emily's memory to the Duke University Chapel Development Fund. Checks may be mailed to: Alumni & Development Records, Duke University, Box 90581, Durham NC 27708.

Memories and messages may be left here on her tribute wall.

Whitaker Funeral Home is honored to assist the Canine family.