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Martha Canfield Obituary
Born on November 25, 1961, in Knoxville, TN, she was the tenth of 14 children, born to Charles and Jeanne (McWhirter) O'Connor. Raised in Knoxville, Martha was a 1980 graduate of South Young High School. During high school, Martha excelled as an athlete and was recognized for her many achievements on the varsity basketball and volleyball teams, where she served as captain for both teams in her senior year.
Martha was named to the first team all Knoxville Interscholastic League (KIL) and all district teams for volleyball and basketball. In her senior year, the South Young volleyball team competed in the state semifinals and finished the season 28-2. In addition she was also a member of the tennis team. In her senior year, Martha was voted "Best All Around" student by her classmates.
Upon graduation from high school, Martha attended East Tennessee State University on a volleyball scholarship and added to her list of athletic and scholastic accomplishments. Between school semesters during the summer months she was a tennis instructor at a youth camp in Georgia. Following college, Martha returned to Knoxville and began employment with the Hyatt Regency Knoxville, in several managerial capacities including housekeeping, front desk, and guest services.
The work that Martha enjoyed most was her five years as a teaching assistant at the Mary Cariola Children's School in Rochester, NY. Martha excelled in her role helping mentally and physically challenged children.
An active volunteer in many area organizations, Martha was involved in the American Cancer Society; Relay for Life Naperville/Lisle event, and was recognized as "Survivor of the Year" in 2008, and was active with her team as co-captain. Martha contributed her time to many Naperville Park District sports teams involving her children, and acted as soccer, baseball, and basketball coach for various teams.
Martha enjoyed all sporting activities, and participated locally in ladies soccer, ladies golf, as well as biking and walking. In addition to sewing and reading, Martha focused her energies on her home, children and friends as a homemaker. Martha also served as a Traffic Crossing Guard for Owen Elementary School, District 204.
Martha was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church of Naperville, and was a past Deacon. She was very involved in church life and activities and enjoyed the involvement of her children at Knox.
Martha is survived by her husband of 18 years, Norman Canfield Jr., whom she married on April 21, 1990; one son, Kevin, 12 years old; twin daughters Callie and Caroline, who are eight years old, all of Naperville; mother, Jeanne O'Connor, of Knoxville, TN; 13 brothers and sisters, Kathy (Pat) Yochim, Greg (Nancy) O'Connor, Jody (Jim) Hazenfield, Tim (Terry) O'Connor, Kevin (Tracy) O'Connor, Bob (Renee) O'Connor, Maggie (Greg) Heaton, Becca O'Connor, Marie (Mike) Ensley, all of Knoxville, TN, Jean Ann (Joe) Savery, of Mountain City, TN, Eileen (Scott) VanFleet, of Wadsworth, OH, Bill O'Connor (Brad Froslee), of Minneapolis, MN, Chris (Jane) O'Connor of Jonesborough, TN; numerous nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews; and numerous friends and neighbors that have become part of her extended family.
Her father, Charles Gregory O'Connor, preceded her in death in 2000.
Friends may call from 3-9 PM on Tuesday, December 30, at Knox Presbyterian Church, 1105 Catulpa Lane, Naperville, IL. Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, December 31, at Knox Presbyterian Church. An additional Memorial Service will be held in Knoxville, TN at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in the name of Martha O'Connor Canfield can be made to the American Cancer Society, 1801 South Meyers Road, Suite 100, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, please reference Naperville/Lisle Relay for Life Event, or to the Edward Hospital Cancer Center, 801 South Washington Street, Naperville, IL 60540.
The family would like to extend our deepest thanks to Dr. Alexander Hantel and the entire staff of the Edward Cancer Center for their unending care and devotion to Martha over the past seven years, in addition to all of her friends, neighbors, church, and family who showed so much care for her. FRIEDRICH-JONES FUNERAL HOME
44 South Mill St, Naperville
( 630 ) 355 0213 www.friedrichjones.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Martha Canfield
June 11, 2017
This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Antoinette Fritz
January 17, 2009
I was a former classmate of Martha and remember her only as a kind student and bestfriend of Melody Reed.I'm sorry for your loss.
Richard Lee, MD
January 15, 2009
To the Canfield and O'Connor families, please accept our deepest condolences. I was in Martha's high school class and remember her as a kind, humerous, athletic girl. I spoke to her by phone two years ago and was struck by her poise and grace in the midst of her illness.
Brian Paul
January 13, 2009
I only new Martha from passing in the hallway in high school, as she was a year ahead of me. She seemed to be a fine person, and someone whom I remember with a constant smile and kind demeanor. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Stacey Hughes
January 9, 2009
Norm,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. My memory of Martha is her beaming smile chasing Kevin through the Hyatt Rochester's lobby. She made a difference in so many lives.
God Bless.
Stacey Hughes
Nancy Phillips Knox
January 6, 2009
Our prayers and thoughts are with Martha's family and the O'Conner and Canfield families. God bless you all during this time of your loss and you will be remembered in prayer.
Class of 1976, South High School
David Mullins
January 5, 2009
The staff of the Department of Athletics at East Tennessee State University offer our prayers and support for the family during this time. We appreciate the contributions that our former athletes like Martha made to our program during her career here. It is evident by her community involvement that she made important contributions to the lives of others and was a great role model for youg people, which is something we try to instill in our student-athletes. May God bless her family and friends during this loss.
Sharon Bowers
December 30, 2008
Kevin and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that the Superior Business Associates family will be lifting you and your family up in prayer.
Terry, Kevin, Sam, Noah Maciulewicz
December 30, 2008
Norm, Kevin, Callie and Caroline please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. In the few short years of knowing Martha, it was clear that she touched the lives of many. Spending Easter brunch together last year will forever remain a special memory for us.
The Maciulewicz Family
Connie Reedy
December 30, 2008
Marie & family,
Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
The Detector Center folks
James Barnish
December 30, 2008
Norm and Family,
Sue's and my thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. Martha was a very strong woman and battled long and hard. Wish I was able to come to Chicago, but will call you when I do have the opportunity to fly up. Let us know if there is anything we can do. If ever you are in Florida, please let us know.
God bless.
Jim and Susan Barnish
Ruth Lorenzi
December 30, 2008
Norm,
Martha was truly a wonderful person and will be missed by one and all. Your family is in our prayers.
Ted & Ruth Lorenzi
Loraine O'Rourke
December 29, 2008
Norm,
Please know my thoughts are with you during this sad time of you and your families' life.
Anita Shoffner
December 29, 2008
Maggie and the O'Connor family,
I am so sorry to hear of Martha's passing.She was always so kind to me, as was the entire family. Know that you will all be in our Prayers.
It has been my pleasure to have gotten to know several generations of this fine family, from South Knoxville Elementary,almost thirty years ago, to South-Young, and now that I substitiute there, South-Doyle Middle and High.
It has been my privilege to have called you my friends.
Hold to your Faith and to God's Promise that this is not a final good-bye, and you will see her in Heaven someday.
Anita King Shoffner
Judeen & Tom Schedler
December 29, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Lisle Area Chamber of Commerce
December 29, 2008
Norm,
We are very sorry for your loss.
Tom Althoff, Wendy Nadeau, Kevin Brown, and Marisa DeAngelis
Teresa (Bright) Brown
December 29, 2008
Marie, Becca, and Bob,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your sister. I know this is a difficult time for you but I hope that you will find comfort in the many happy memories you shared with her.
Brenda Savanhu
December 29, 2008
Norm,
My heart goes out to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Nannette O'Connor
December 29, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Martha was so strong and is now with God. Thank goodness you have each other.
Marty and Joyce Underwood
December 29, 2008
To the Canfield and O'Connor Families:
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. It is our hope that you find peace knowing that God has Martha in his loving hands.
John Daugherty
December 29, 2008
Kevin & Tracy,
We are so sorry to hear of Martha's passing. You are in the thoughts and prayers of all of us at Superior.
Bonnie Olson
December 29, 2008
I have no no words that can mend your heartache; but I want you to know that all those in your Knox Church Family have been inspired by the love and courage you have shown throughout many difficult days. We care and share your loss and wish you the comfort in knowing that Martha was and always will be loved.
Angela Sangs
December 29, 2008
Norm,
My heart truly goes out to you and the kids. Martha fought a tough fight and she is now with our Lord and Savior. May God Bless you and may He continue to give you the strengh and courage you need to help you move forward. Hang in there.
Lynn Gomez
December 29, 2008
Norm,
My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
God bless
Gary Young
December 29, 2008
Dear Norm and Children,
Colleen and I would like to express our deepest sympathy for you all at this time of great sadness. Martha is with God now and you can take comfort knowing she will be watching over you and the kids.
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Gary and Colleen Young
AnnLouise Fitzgerald
December 29, 2008
Martha loved each of you so much and did not want to leave you. At the Great Banquet retreat in Park Ridge, we prayed for you and your children. She was able to find peace from God and I will continue to pray that you will feel His comfort. It is also normal and acceptable to have a period of being angry with God. He is big enough to handle that. Martha was such a blessing to me at the retreat.
Linda Gerner
December 29, 2008
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Larry and Linda Gerner
Cheryl Ross Drain
December 29, 2008
Kevin, Maggie and family,
I was so sorry to hear of Martha's passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
God Bless each of you.
Cheryl, Gary and Nathan Drain
Dave & Lynn Wooten
December 29, 2008
To the Canfield and O'Connor Family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you strength and peace knowing that Martha is in his presence.
Dave & Lynn Wooten
December 29, 2008
To the Canfield and O'Connor Family.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give you peace and comfort knowing Martha is in his presence.
Owen Elementary School staff
December 28, 2008
Canfields, You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The Owen Elementary community is thinking about you.
Scott and Sandy Terry
December 28, 2008
Norm, Children, and Family
Although many years have gone by since we last saw you and Martha, you've continued to be on our minds and in our hearts. Martha's beauty, strength, and laughter will live on forever. We send our condolences and God's peace.
Chip and Hilda Widener
December 28, 2008
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
Robin Manuel O'Connor
December 28, 2008
I was very sorry to hear about Martha. I knew her as a child in South Knoxville. She was a very special person.
Peg Foltz
December 28, 2008
Dear Canfields,
I was so saddened to hear that Martha lost her struggle with the cancer - so full of life, love for her family and God, and such an inspiration to all of us as she battled this illness time and again. My deepest sympathies at this time go to all of you, and prayers that you will remember her in happier times. God bless you all...
Jerry Ridinger
December 28, 2008
I was sorry to here about the passing of Martha. My father, Fred Ridinger, was a teacher at South and taught Martha. We were high school friends.
Kim Williams
December 28, 2008
We will miss Martha greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kim, Kevin, Erin & Cole Williams
Helga Rueckert
December 28, 2008
The best and most
beautiful things
cannot be seen or even
touched
They must be felt with the heart
You will always live in our hearts
Love
Helmut & Helga & Elena & Tyler
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