Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Dolores E. Canfield

Dec. 12, 1951 - July 29, 2008

 

South Bend Tribune 8/3/2008
SOUTH BEND - Dolores E. Canfield, 56, of South Bend, IN, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2008, in Hospice House, South Bend, IN. She was born December 12, 1951, in Mishawaka, IN, to the late Clement J. and Virginia R. (Huba) Canfield. Dolores is survived by her son, John Sullivan of South Bend; three sisters, Patricia (Gerard) Welling of South Bend, Marilyn (James) Skaalerud of Lebanon, TN, and Janet Grauel of South Bend; and five brothers, Thomas (Deborah) Canfield of Elkhart, IN, Michael (Celine) Canfield of San Antonio, TX, Martin Canfield of Mishawaka, IN, Gregory Canfield of South Bend and James (Irma) Canfield of San Antonio, TX; and very special friends, Ginny Riederer, Mary Stephenson and Sandy Williams.

 

She attended St. Joseph Elementary School, Mishawaka and Marian High School, graduating in 1970. She proudly served her country in the United States Navy and was stationed in San Diego and Coronado, CA, from 1971-74. After living in California, Idaho and Oregon, she returned to South Bend where she earned two associate degrees from Ivy Tech, South Bend. Dolores was employed by Allied Barton Security Service, was previously employed from 1996-2006 by LRT Plastics in Edwardsburg, MI, and prior to that by Troyer Foods in Goshen, IN, Turners of South Bend and Kroger in Mishawaka. Dolores left this world for a better one but not without a fight. Her son John meant everything to her and she did all she could to be here for him. Being avid Notre Dame fans, she and John enjoyed every Notre Dame football game, occasionally attending them in the Notre Dame stadium. The Blue-Gold spring games were a ritual for them. She also loved the Chicago Bears. Her most favorite pastime was playing pool with her closest friends and younger sister in two pool leagues, M.A.P.L. in the 80s and Bar Box in the 90s. If success and happiness are measured in loving friendships and family, Dolores was a wealthy woman. We "brothers and sisters," nieces and nephews, and most especially her son, John, know what a gem she was. Nothing can fill that void. We loved her very much.

 

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 4, in Christ the King Catholic Church, 52473 U.S. 933 North, South Bend. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today, Aug. 3, in Palmer Funeral Home-River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615, with a vigil service and words of remembrance at 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Dolores with a memorial donation may direct it to the family, c/o Palmer Funeral Home, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615.