Caroline Isabel Newberger Canafax

Caroline Canafax Obituary

Caroline Isabel Newberger CANAFAX Lifelong Seattle resident born February 17, 1921 and passed away April 23, 2011 at the age of 90. Daughter of Meyer and Jennie Newberger and sister of Richard Newberger and Jane Freyd, she married Leo Canafax December 22, 1947 and was widowed May 24, 2010. Attending Reed College in Oregon for her undergraduate degree and going on to a masters in education at the University of Washington to pursue her career in elementary education and working in the central area for the Seattle school district until her retirement. Her passions were promoting peace and freedom and traveling the world to do just that. Local Women's International League of Peace and Freedom (WILPF) member and international vice president of that organization as well helped her "get out the word to end war". Marching in peace rallies and protests, singing with The Raging Grannies, handing out leaflets, founding editor of Pacific Vision, what ever it took to help, she was there. Leaning just left of left she promoted democracy, women's rights and organized representation for labor. All that knew her knew her diverse interests from hiking to opera, agate collecting to reading, health food to cutting edge medicine, and so many other things. She lived life to its fullest and on her own terms. She is survived by her son Dan Canafax his wife Julie Berglund, daughter Susan Jones and her husband Steve Jones, granddaughters Emily, Olivia and Julia Canafax, and Courtney Howell, her sister Jane, nephew Alan Freyd and his wife Linda. Memorial donations can be made to The Raging Grannies Seattle or WILPF. Celebration of Life on Saturday June 4th at 2:00 p.m. in Seattle. Please contact: [email protected] for more information. "Be sad because you will miss me, not because I have died" Caroline, December 2008.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on May 29, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Caroline Canafax

10 Entries

Suzanne Prestrud Anderson

June 28, 2011

Caroline was my mother's friend, but she always felt like my friend too. We went swimming, camping, back packing throughout my childhood. She invited us to Family Camp, an "organization" that is hard to explain to non-members, but that played an important role in forming my world view. I can hear her chuckle in my mind right now-- she always saw the good in things, very much a cup half-full kind of person. I am grateful that she is a part of me.

Dona

June 24, 2011

Caroline had a beautiful soul, mind and heart. My thoughts go out to her family and her many friends.

Ann Smith

June 4, 2011

I met Caroline in the pool at the Y. She brought me into the Grannies and was my mentor. I miss the hours we used to spend talking. I've never known anyone who had more physical problems and gave into them less. Her travels with Edith and their book are marvelous. I will miss her! Lovingly, Ann Smith

Nina Murano

June 4, 2011

We first met at Family Camp in the 60's. She got me to join WILPF - tho' I was more a sympathiser more than an activist. She (along with Aki Kurose) supported me during my troubles with the U of W. Years later, she bullied me into joining the Raging Grannies. Her special spirit, no nonsense approach, and wryness will stay with me forever.

What beauty!

sue kay

June 4, 2011

Miss her strength, intelligence, charm and wit. Remember the many meetings and events when her presence lit up the room or performance. Thinking about her today and wish I could be there.

Annette Klapstein

June 4, 2011

One of my best Raging Grannies buddies. I remember riding with her as she drove her car like a crazy person, sharing a beer with her after a Grannies gig, her calling me up at night just to discuss political issues and people she knew in Indian country (I worked for the Puyallup Tribe and we had a number of mutual friends) . Caroline was a passionate political activist, but always with a great sense of humor. I am so sorry I can't make it to her memorial (I'm in Europe) but I will miss her always.

Rosy Betz-Zall

June 3, 2011

I always enjoyed Coroline's wry sense of humor and her warm caring attitude toward each person she met.

(Carol) Lanie Riley

June 2, 2011

A delightful bundle of energy,love,good spirits, and strong values, that's what Caroline was for me. A buddy at Family Camp tramping through the woods, and a role-model for making a difference. Caroline's friendship was a treasure to me, and my heart feels heavy for the loss. And light for having known her.

Laisa Coates

May 31, 2011

It was an honor and a delight to have known and worked with your family. I am so very sorry for your loss, Caroline (and of course Leo!) were two of my absolute favorite clients ever. My thoughts are with you and your family.

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