Allene Canaris

Allene Canaris, 90, of Eagle Lake, passed away at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Rice Medical Center due to chronic health complications. Allene Doree’ Brandt was born in the home of her German parents, Philip and Gretchen Brandt, in Rosenberg, TX on August 19 , 1931, the second youngest of four children. As a teenager, she enjoyed riding around town with her friends and going to dances. It would be a dance where she had her first date with her future husband, Mike Canaris (both her heartthrob and headache). Allene and Mike married in July of 1951, only 3 months after their first date, and celebrated 49 years of marriage before Mike’s passing in June 2000. In 1952, they welcomed their only son, Phillip Dan (Danny), and 21 years later, a daughter (in-law) with Sue Mathis. Allene and Sue would develop a beautiful 52-year long friendship. In May of 1978, Sue and Danny welcomed their son, Blake Dan Canaris and 3 years later, their daughter, Rebal Doree’ Canaris. It was Allene’s adored grandchildren that would coin her iconic namesake, “Granny”. She was a phenomenal grandmother to her grandchildren and became a grandma figure to so many more, opening her home and sharing her amazing home-cooked meals with her extended family. Granny’s kitchen was her sanctuary. She loved to cook for family and friends, sometimes cooking for groups as large as 20 people…and with no complaints. No birthday would pass without one of Granny’s amazing dinners and delicious homemade cakes. Allene first worked as a nurse’s aid in Richmond and Wharton with her best friend Letty before starting a 50+ year career in the retail store business. She began working at Foster’s Superette convenience store in Eagle Lake in 1964, then went on to work at other various convenience stores in Eagle Lake owned by her son and daughter-in-law, which included the Cupboard, Dan’s Minute Stop, D&S and The Eagle Stop. Granny was most recognized at The Eagle Stop where she spent over 30 years making lifelong friendships with those who frequented the store. She drew people in with her legendary banana bread and continued to be an ever-present friendly face. She worked up until the age of 86, when the store closed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Philip Brandt and Gretchen Seydler; husband, Mike Canaris; sister, Helen Brandt; brothers, Phil and Leon Brandt. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Dan and Sue Canaris; grandchildren, Blake and wife Amanda Canaris, Rebal and husband Vadim Kishko; her great-grandchildren, Benjamin Canaris and Simyon Kishko and her nephew, Michael John, one of her best friends. Granny was one of the most hard-working, giving and resilient people. Throughout decades of various medical issues, she never lost her sense of humor and tenacity. As we mourn the loss of our mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, we are reminded of the brevity of life and the impact of true selflessness. Funeral services will be held for the family at Lakeside Cemetery with a celebration of life ceremony to follow at a later date. Pallbearers include Drayton Canaris, Michael Canaris, Michael Duarte, Sidney Lira, Tallon Canaris and Vadim Kishko. The family invites anyone whose life was touched by Granny to donate to the Rice Medical Center Employee Volunteers.