Virginia Canfield

Virginia Hall Canfield, age 91, died peacefully on December 15, 2015, after a short illness. She was predeceased by her loving husband of almost 66 years, Eugene, in 2014. She is survived by her three children, Barbara, Walton, NY, Donald and wife Isabel, Apalachin, NY, Robert and wife Valerie, Vestal, NY, grandchildren Brandon Canfield, Apalachin, NY, Alisha and Shari Canfield, Vestal, NY, brother John Hall and his wife Shirley, Williamsville, NY, and their children Randall Hall, Williamsville, NY, and Janet Howse and her husband Rich, Sterling, VA, and many good friends in Pittsfield, MA and Jamestown, NY. Virginia was born in Schenectady, NY in 1924 to John and Helen Hall. She was the granddaughter of a well-known mason with a large family and grew up with many cousins in the Schenectady area. Virginia graduated in 1946 from Syracuse University with a bachelor’s degree in English and taught for one year as a Jr. High teacher in Marion, NY, before she married her husband in 1948. She also excelled in organ and piano music and played the organ at church during her college years. She frequently played for herself on her baby-grand piano while raising her family and her house was frequently filled with piano music. Virginia was an excellent mother and devoted her time to raising her children and seeing to their many needs. She and her husband raised a family and enjoyed retirement together for almost 66 years. In May of this year she attended the celebration of her brother’s 95th birthday in Buffalo, NY and greatly enjoyed the extended family gathering. She also made many lifelong friends in Pittsfield, MA, and Vestal, NY. Virginia appreciated the many phone calls and visits she received from her friends in her final days. Virginia enjoyed travel with her husband and together they traveled to many world locations including Egypt, Libya, Greece, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Russia, China, Brazil, Hawaii, Alaska, Churchill, Canada, India, Argentina, and Antarctica. She was also a past president of the College Club in Pittsfield, MA. She cared for her family a great deal and uncomplainingly took care of them through many trials, including the devoted care of her husband in his final years. Virginia was also an excellent cook and cooked many family holiday meals, and excelled in making the very difficult family-recipe New Year’s Cookies every Christmas. The family wishes to express thanks to the staff of the Kendal assisted living center for their care and thoughtfulness in Virginia’s final months and also the staff and doctors of Cayuga Medical Center for their compassionate care in Virginia’s final hours.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday 12 pm from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott. Burial will be in Vestal Park Cemetery, Vestal. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Saturday from 10 am until service time at 12 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Virginia’s name may be made to the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, 311 Curtis Street, Jamestown, NY 14701, or the charity of one’s choice.