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Elizabeth Canfield Obituary
Elizabeth Canfield died on June 25 in Albuquerque of complications from an infection. Born in Vienna, Austria in 1922 to the composer Ernest Kanitz and pianist Gertrud Reif Kanitz, she and her family came to the U.S. in 1938 after Hitler invaded their country. She is survived by her daughter Maria D. Canfield and husband Gary Flores of Albuquerque; daughter-in-law Karen Canfield Meyer; brother Thomas Kane (Ann); sister Mary Lavender; four nieces/nephews, and many devoted friends. Her husband, John O. Canfield, and son, Paul G. Canfield, died in 1977 and 1998 respectively.
Liz had a long and rewarding career in reproductive health, family planning and sexuality education, starting in 1959 when she became a Spanish-language interpreter at Los Angeles Planned Parenthood. She ran a free contraceptive program for low-income families, helped win California abortion law reform, volunteered at LA Free Clinic, and co-created the Clergy Counseling Service for Problem Pregnancies. She worked in student health at the University of Southern California and CSU Northridge.
In 1980 Liz moved to Albuquerque, and worked with Lea County Perinatal Program, Lovelace Medical Center, and People Living Through Cancer. She worked part-time with Planned Parenthood for 23 years, and was board member or volunteer with Albuquerque Chamber Soloists, the NM Association of People Living with AIDS, and the Holocaust Speakers' Bureau. Recently she was focused on the Common Bond Emergency Project, since 1988 a last-resort fund for persons living with HIV/AIDS; she considered the project her "baby." It has been ably directed by Steve Ridlon since 2008.
Liz's love and regard for children led to her deep concern for thoughtfully-planned parenthood. She created the widely-used brochure "Am I Parent Material?" and authored articles and book chapters in her field. Liz had a special affinity for LGBTQ communities, speaking up without fear & working to promote understanding. Her pioneering work in human sexuality & reproduction were recognized with awards from Syracuse University, the ACLU, the YWCA, Common Bond New Mexico among others.
In keeping with Liz's belief that all things must be put to good use, she willed her body to the UNM School of Medicine.
Liz will be profoundly missed by all who knew her. A memorial event will be announced at a later date. In accordance with Liz's wishes, memorial donations may be sent to: Emergency Project, PO Box 8313, Alb, NM 87198
([email protected]).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Canfield
roger hollander
June 22, 2024
our friendship and collaboration goes back to the 1960s, Liz being one of the most cherished and important persons in my life. I continue to miss her. When it comes to sharing a thought, a memory, humor, politics, etc. you still are the first person who comes to mind.
Amy Reichbach
June 22, 2023
Thinking of Liz again and still missing our old conversations.
Amy
Kathy McCoy
June 22, 2023
I will never forget Liz and her significant contribution to the field of reproductive health and freedom. Professionally, she was a great resource. Personally, she was a wonderful and enduring friend who introduced me to another friend for life, Dr. Chuck Wibbelsman, my Teenage Body Book co-author. Chuck and I will be getting together next week for dinner. We'll raise a glass in a heartfelt toast to Liz -- never to be forgotten!
Amy Reichbach
March 17, 2021
Liz was an early mentor in my life. I met Liz through Addie Klotz at Cal State Northridge and Planned Parenthood, and had a lovely correspondence with her after she moved to New Mexico. I'd love to send a couple of the letters to Maria if she'd like them.
Jill Gatwood
November 1, 2017
I love reading all these tributes and memories from people whose lives intertwined with Liz's in different ways, and yet everyone describes the same Liz! I can see and hear her through your messages. I'm learning here even more about the greatness of her heart, her courage and generosity. What an amazing person.
The memorial service for Liz was wonderful. We really enjoyed hearing all the speakers and seeing old friends again. I'm sorry we weren't able to stay, as my husband had a health problem he needed to follow up on (an infected elbow, but you don't need to hear more about that). Thank you everybody for sharing your stories. There needs to be a Liz Canfield day every year, to celebrate and remember her life and impact. Jill
Dr. Nora Baladarian
October 31, 2017
Liz Canfield was a pioneer, an advocate, a seeker, and much more. Her gifts to me were foundational in my youth to adult years, and in our lifelong relationship.
I met Liz in summer 1963, when I was 17 and volunteering for the California Migrant Ministry in Watts, an impoverished black area not far from my home in Van Nuys, California. It was a different world, with much different rules. The food you could buy there was not so good, but to drive to better (cheaper) stores was impossible for most.
One day Liz came to talk to us about working in poverty areas. She worked closely with women in the housing projects, providing health and pregnancy counseling. She was fluent in Spanish, and would hold meetings in each language. She too lived in Van Nuys, and invited me to contact her when volunteer job ended.
I had parents whose beliefs directly opposed mine about most things. They hated that every summer, I did volunteer work, to be of service in some way. And there were other conflicts. I couldn't wait to call Liz after the summer program in Watts ended.
When I did, she invited me to dinner. I couldn't believe the experience. Present were Liz, her husband, her 12-year old daughter, and Liz's father. Everyone spoke kindly to the other! They talked about the news, school, friends, etc. No one was angry! No topic was forbidden. It was like a miracle! They asked me to talk, which scared me--at my house, openness was not accepted. In fact, I was often sent away from the table mid-meal, since I would say things that my parents didn't like. The Canfields invited me to stay after dinner and talk (another miracle!!!). Before I left, they asked if I'd like to come live with them, and their invitation was sincere. They would help me!! I said yes. Part of my responsibility, Liz explained, was to be with their daughter while both parents were working. And the rest would be to study and get good grades! WOW!
My life changed. Liz hired me to go with her into the projects and help in working with the women. She introduced me to her many friends -- Holocaust survivors, or neighbors -- and to folks related to women's rights activism. She made me part of her extended family. And she introduced me to the arts, music -- let's just say, to another world.
Liz taught me so much by living a life of educated participation in her communityand thus, in the world. When problems arose, she was right there, always avid about providing support and advocacy. I probably don't know all the ways she gave people comfort and counsel.
Liz is the premier model of a life well-lived. I can never thank her enough, and I thank her often, for taking me in, and for sharing with me her life and her wisdom.
Program booklet from Celebration of Life, Oct. 28, 2017
D Z
October 31, 2017
Larry Lavender
October 18, 2017
It is not easy to think of what to say to others in remembering my aunt Liz. She was a multi-faceted woman who lived so differently in each of our lives. Yet I think there may be some ways in which she lived in similar ways in each of our lives. Three words come to mind when I ask myself what was Liz like, what was the essential Liz?
Optimistic, Realistic, and Holistic.
In my experiences of Liz, dating back to my childhood in Van Nuys, California where Liz lived for many years while I was growing up, she was always hopeful that things were going to get better. Not because some imaginary friend in the sky who doled out rewards and punishment was going to intervene in our lives and save us from ourselves and each other, but because we were going to figure out what to do, and we were going to do it. Liz, of course, was going to be one of the chief architects of the figuring out, and be a leader-slash-cheerleader for anyone who would lend a hand in making the plan work.
But she was realistic in knowing that in all of our lives there are setbacks, some are self-induced, and some arise out of bad luck or the fallibilities of others. As an optimistic realist, Liz was great at helping people, including me, to review a situation, identify our own role in its origins and most importantly, construct solution paths to get ourselves out of the mess and back on our way. And even when there was not a problem per se, she was a methodical realistic optimist: I remember in 1992 when she found out there was an opening for the Head of Dance job at UNM. I was finishing my doctorate at NYU and Liz knew I was on the job market. She alerted me to the job, sent information on the department, hosted me at her house and loaned me her car when I came out for an interview, and helped Beth and me find a house when we moved from Brooklyn to Albuquerque. At each step of that process Liz was a realistic optimist, and we would not have been as happy and successful as we were during the 9 years we lived here had Liz not been here for us. She took excellent care of our kids when they were little -- she had the best pretzels and juice boxes and funny stories in town. Those kids, Bridget and Spencer, were her darlings, and we, and they, were lucky to have her. I am glad that Liz was a surrogate grandparent for them.
My strongest memory of Liz dates back to 1998 when I drove her to Santa Fe, to meet Karen at Paul's studio after he died. I think of the word holistic in thinking of Liz because of that day, because of that drive up there. She shared thoughts in a kind of long monologue about various kinds of illness and how they affect people psychologically, about survivors of those who pass at a young age, about arrangements that needed to be made, details that needed to be attended to, about Paul and Maria as children, about her own life as a child, young woman, and adult, about all kinds of things. I so admired her ability to contend with her own grief by naming and honoring the small, sharp, piercing and painful details of it but also by filling out the contours of the bigger picture for herself, for Karen, for all the rest of us. At one point I remember thinking, wow, she is comforting me! It is supposed to be the other way around.
But she saw the world and even her own life holistically she could work on and work out the tiniest details of situations but she saw the big picture, the larger frame, the overarching contexts of things. And I think that was the source and the fuel of her creativity and patience, both of which she appeared to have in abundance. She was a gift to us all, and to so many others, and I'll miss her and never forget her, and never stop trying to live up to the example she set for how to be n the world.
Hal Simon
August 23, 2017
Liz was simply the most unique, remarkable person I have ever met. It was a gift to know her, and an honor to count her among my friends.
Pam & Dick Bunce
August 6, 2017
Liz was active at Pacoima Congregational Church (in the LA metropolitan area) in the mid-sixties. The church had a core of people who surrounded and supported the leadership in hopes of making a difference on the side of justice and peace. These were controversial times in which issues of race, poverty, and war were fiercely debated -- especially the Vietnam War. Liz was steadfastly committed . . . but she maintained a calm, urbane quality that helpfully tempered the more fiery impulses among us. She knew who she was. She didn't preach or condescend. She simply lived and spoke with integrity and good humor. She was a peacemaker by example. We deeply respect Liz, we are grateful for her friendship, and we honor her in life and death. Assuming there is a life beyond, we think she is already connecting with the very idealistic folks and calmly and wisely figuring out how to be helpful - especially to the younger, more fiery souls.
Pat Maginnis
August 2, 2017
As I go back some 60 years of memories, Liz came into my acquaintance because of her steadfast work with a man named Sunnen [who] made a monumental effort to help our nation's women...Liz, much to her credit and legacy, had an inquiring mind and a "stick to it nature," prime requirements for the causes she carried... She was one of our important "movers and shakers!" for the rights of women.
Peter Cubra
July 31, 2017
I've known Liz since about 1985, both as a fellow advocate for justice and as a family friend. She is sorely missed (and sorely needed now as an advocate).
Michelle Cramer
July 30, 2017
My sincerest condolences to you and the family, I am deeply saddened to hear of Liz's passing. She was an instrumental person in my life and her loss is/was one of my deepest fears. Though I only saw her when I returned home, the idea that she is no longer available for long visits is so sad and unsettling for me. Her life is an amazing testament to who she was and her legacy lives on in people like me and all those she touched. She is an incredible creation and I am blessed to have had her in my life...I've put off emailing, as a denial of the events but I suppose Liz would only admonish me for my neglect and the need to face the realities....
Roger Hollander
July 5, 2017
Liz Canfield was caring and consistently faithful to her deeply held ethical beliefs in freedom and equality like very few I have known in my three quarters of a century on this troubled earth.
She could not stand to be idle, whether it be knitting non-stop during interminable meetings, attendance at her beloved cultural events, or active engagement in one of the many causes she supported.
Our friendship began in the mid 1960s at, of all places, the Pacoima Congregational Church. She was kind of a spiritual den mother and cheer leader for a small group of young political activists engaged in protest against the Vietnam War, racial discrimination and the exploitation of farm workers.
Over the years, through the eyes of a precious friendship. I joined in or watched her with admiration in her work in student health centers, progressive clergy, the LA Free Clinic, LGBTQ rights, women's reproductive health, AIDS, etc. etc. etc.
Liz will be sorely missed, beyond her enormous contribution to human rights and social justice, but as well for her generosity, loyal friendship, positive attitude, and brilliant sense of irony and humor.
Random has taken you, Liz, but you will not soon be forgotten.
Roger Hollander
Margaritte Domholt
July 4, 2017
She was a truly unique and vibrant woman. I will never forget her wit, her wonderful intellect, nor her compassion for others.
Paul Conrow
July 4, 2017
I met Liz the first time in 1986, through New Mexico Association of People Living with Aids. She encouraged me to become active in Advocacy for others living with HIV. She is the main reason I am alive today, as talking with her during my depressive days early in my knowledge of my infection, helped me to get and keep a better outlook on life in general. She will definitely be missed and mourned.
Indomitable (1982)
D L Z
July 1, 2017
June 30, 2017
6-30-17
Liz and I met in 1967 through abortion rights activities. In 1968, she trained me, with no small nervousness on my part, to be a problem pregnancy counselor at the L.A. Free Clinic. Despite an active totally unrelated professional career, those two years at the "Freec" have been amongst the most rewarding of my life. I'll always be grateful to Liz.
We kept in touch over the years - and after she moved to NM, by yearly hour-long phone calls on her birthday. What a refined, knowledgeable, elegant lady! - one realized this only gradually. She seemed to carry life's tragedies, of which she had more than her share, with great dignity - no woe is me for Liz!
And ALWAYS in there doing what she could for her causes.
Yes, she was one of a kind - many will miss her!
Eugene Epstein, Los Angeles
Jill Gatwood
June 30, 2017
I first met Liz in the mid 1980s when we worked together at Planned Parenthood in Albuquerque. She was a great counselor, of course. When my husband and I joined the Peace Corps 89-91, Liz offered to be our US address, which turned out to be crucial (she insisted, and I didn't realize how much we would need that)and was a great help to us in many ways. She also took care of all my houseplants and they never looked so good as when I picked them up two years later! Since then we continued to work together on various projects during the HIV epidemic. Until recently, we sometimes lunched at Saigon Far East near her house, where Kim knew to bring her her usual lemongrass chicken with less noodles because of her diabetes. She had a number of serious, chronic health issues that would have shackled much stronger, younger people, but not her! Sometimes I picked her up after her water exercise classes ("No, it isn't fun." she'd say, "But I think of exercise as a health appointment you have to keep"). I was always amazed at how she remembered every detail about members of my family from last time we'd met and asked for updates. She railed against the modern world, that has lost its manners. :) "People don't send thank you cards. I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just saying I don't understand it." While she left Austria as a teenager, she still carried an Austrian accent and an organized Austrian perspective on the world. But what I cherish maybe most of all and will miss so much, over all her great activism, accomplishments and awards, is her wacky sense of humor. About a month ago, she called and left me a message, "Hi, It's Liz. You must be out at a Trump rally; sorry I missed you. Please call when you get back." Nothing was taboo to talk about or joke about with her. Such an inspiration. Some may think it's less painful to lose someone dear who is so old - almost 95 - but in fact it is very difficult. She often said she was ready to go, but we thought Liz would live forever. The world needs her.
Kathleen Winslow
June 30, 2017
Liz was one of the most influential people I know. There are a handful, for me, and she's the last one . . . passed on to whatever is beyond life on earth. I remember the day, the people who were present, and what we talked about on the day I met Liz. And her 90th birthday party. . . where I met many of the young people whom she took in. I was so impressed by their unstinting devotion to her. WHAT A WOMAN!!! The world is a lesser place without her here on the planet with us. With much love, sympathy, and admiration, Kathleen
Kathy McCoy
June 29, 2017
Liz was such an inspiration, so dedicated to reproductive freedom and such a wonderful friend for so many years! She was a mentor and role model in so many ways. She was an incredible blessing to my life -- and many other lives she touched!
Dawn Neuman
June 29, 2017
I first met Liz in 1970. I was one of many troubled students that ended up in her home; as I grew to an adult we became lifelong friends. For me, she was a source of inspiration and support. I will miss her deeply. Her life was meaningful in so many ways. Rest in Peace, my friend. Dawn
Dr. Anita Siegman
June 29, 2017
Liz and I worked together at USC in the 70's when I was the first director of the University Counseling Center, part of Student Health and Counseling Services. She taught me everything I needed to know, and still use in my practice today, about family planning and how to encourage young people to use contraception. She was elegant and dignified, articulate, witty, and dedicated.Liz had the ability to talk with anyone about uncomfortable subjects, be they a football player or a sorority member. She was sui generis,a mature and wise activist at a crucial time in history for women.
I treasure the time we worked together, and all that I learned from her.
Julie Crocker
June 29, 2017
I have been fortunate to have lived next door to Liz Canfield for 20 years and am blessed to have known her. What an amazing woman. She will be missed. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.
June 29, 2017
Please accept my sincere condolences. May your hearts be comforted with the peace of a God now and forever as you cope with your dear sweet loss - Philip 4:6&7
Among the dogwoods
Art Hoffmann
June 28, 2017
Dear Friends (many of you met Liz over the past several decades):
It was inevitable I guess that as she neared her 95th birthday this October - and in poor health for quite a while - this was not unexpected.
But still a great loss for me personally. I first met Liz back in 1973 at Planned Parenthood in Los Angeles. During the next 45 years or so I worked with her on a number of projects related to family planning and reproductive health, sexual orientation and human sexuality in general. She was a genius in her ability to convey information on any of these sensitive topics. She often joked that on her tombstone would be inscribed she died of terminal understanding. Her obituary spells out in more detail her background and many of her accomplishments going back to the 1950s if you can believe that. In 1983, she landed me my first job in New Mexico with a traffic safety organization and - ironically - our first house in Albuquerque was purchased from her back in the late 1970s. She edited my book. I used her for Spanish translation. She provided unofficial counseling and Jewish mothering whenever I needed it. We commiserated lately about politics. Discussed and appreciated classical music together. I shared Miss Manners columns with her so she could hone her etiquette skills. (That's a joke - she was an etiquette expert). So, we were always connected.
I attach an image to remember her by, showing a photo of her placed among the dogwoods (one of her favorite photos and one of her favorite trees).
Rest in peace sweet soul.
Arturo
Bill Floyd
June 28, 2017
My deepest condolences to the family. Liz was an amazing woman.
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