Elma Canfield

ELMA R. (SIS) CANFIELD, age 48, of 364 Central Chapel Rd., Brooktondale, N.Y., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 13, 2008. Elma was born June 5, 1959 a daughter of Mary Lou Cleveland of Brooktondale and the late John W. Cleveland. A lifelong resident of Brooktondale, Elma was married to Theodore "Ted" Canfield in 1984. She was graduated from Ithaca High School and TC3 where she received a Associates in Accounting. She worked during her school years on the family dairy farm and for Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Later she was employed in sales and bookkeeping at K-Mart, Atlantic Dental and Page Book Binding. Elma stayed home to raise and home school her children in their younger years.

After her youngest went to public school she returned to work at the I.C.S.D. Food Service and finally at A.C. Moore. Elma also ran her own sewing/alterations business, Guideboard Corners Alterations and Creations. One of Elma's lifetime passions was giving back and volunteering in the community. She was active in area churches as a Sunday School teacher and treasurer, was a Girl Scout leader, 4-H leader and a mentor to many young people. She was a member of The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden. Elma enjoyed spending her free time sewing, working on crafts and gardening. She loved life and fought to the end to live. She loved God, family, friends and her community.

Survivors include her mother, Mary Lou Cleveland of Brooktondale; her loving and devoted husband of 23 years, Theodore E. (Ted) Canfield; their two children, Erin Canfield of North Providence RI and Seth Canfield of Brooktondale, NY; her sister, Jenny Lou (Scott) Lovejoy of Brooktondale, NY; two brothers, Delmar (Kim) Cleveland of Brooktondale, NY and Ed (Linda) Cleveland of Brooktondale, NY; her mother-in-law, Charlotte Canfield of Freeville; a sister-in-law, Sharon Cooper of Dryden; nieces, Jurene (Scott) Burlew, Sheila (Jason) Burlew, Hilary Cleveland, Jamie (Joe) Myers, Melissa Cooper and Tammy (Erin) Day; a nephew, John (Melanie) Cooper, Jr.; aunts, uncles, great nieces and nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Cleveland Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at The First Presbyterian Church of Dryden with Rev. David C. Robinson officiating. Burial will be private in Garrett Mandeville Cemetery, West Slaterville. Friends are invited to call Tuesday from 7 to 9 PM at the Perkins Funeral Home, 55 West Main Street, Dryden. As a tribute to Elma, please consider a memorial to Hospicare, 172 East King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 or to the Cortland Memorial Foundation, 134 N. Homer Ave., Cortland, NY 13045.

www.perkinsfuneralhome.com