Barbara Theresa Canney (nee MacDonald), of Elmira, formerly of Clarence, died Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012.

Mrs. Canney was born in Boston, Mass., and grew up with siblings, Leonard, William, Mary and Alyce. She graduated from Melrose High School and then went to work for a telephone company and later trained as a dental assistant.

She joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict, working as a dental assistant, and met her husband on base. They then settled in Clarence.

Mrs. Canney later received her associate degree in occupational therapy from Erie Community College and worked for Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

She was devoted to her work for the Consolata Missionaries and also helped neglected infants in Romania with the AIDS virus who were orphaned or abandoned.

She enjoyed painting, reading and spending time with her family. She also traveled to England, Ireland and France and climbed the Pyramid of the Sun at Teotihuacan, Mexico.

Mrs. Canney is survived by her husband, John C.; five sons, Stephen, John, William, Mark and Robert; three daughters, Karen Bauman, Mary Johanna Foster and Patricia Labert; 19 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

Memorials may be made to the National Down Syndrome Society, 666 Broadway, 8th floor, New York, NY 10012, attn. Madeline Alemar.

A memorial service will be held at a later date with arrangements made by McInerny Funeral Home.