I Miss you Mom

Deborah Ida Canfield, 70, of Springfield, MO suddenly passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, from a combination of health issues. She was born July 13, 1953, to Robert and Lillian Steinberger in Milwaukee, WI.  Though thankful that she no longer endures the pain and struggles of life, we already miss the sound of her voice, the things she would say and the dishes she cooked with love.

Debbie lived a life of adventure, as she sought to find her place in this world.  At a young age she ended up in Puerto Rico, where she met her first husband, Efrain 'Frank' Santiago.  They returned to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, were married and had two children, Lillian and Jeffery.  Following their divorce, she sought out her own path, joining the Church of God and discovering her love of singing, both solo and as part of praise teams. She was counted as a helpful and joyful worker, who loved her Pastors and families.  This joy recalls Mark 12:30-31, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."  The second command is this: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." There are no commands more important than these.  Even now, nearly thirty years later, I can still hear her singing in the praise team at Milwaukee Metro.  She was also a wonderful cook, from making sausage gravy and biscuits from scratch for breakfast to authentic rice and beans for supper.  Later in life, she met Michael 'Mickey' Canfield, whom she loved and married 2019, and they built a happy life in Branson, Missouri.

Here, we want to share this lovely poem that came to mind while contemplating memories of our mom seeking her place in this world.

The Remorseful Day

How clear, how lovely bright,
How beautiful to sight
Those beams of morning play;
How heaven laughs out with glee
Where, like a bird set free,
Up from the eastern sea
Soars the delightful day.

To-day I shall be strong,
No more shall yield to wrong,
Shall squander life no more;
Days lost, I know not how,
I shall retrieve them now;
Now I shall keep the vow
I never kept before.

Ensanguining the skies
How heavily it dies
Into the west away;
Past touch and sight and sound
Not further to be found,
How hopeless underground
Falls the remorseful day

A E Housman, More Poems, 1936

Deborah was preceded in death by her husband Michael Canfield; parents, Robert and Lillian Steinberger; brother Robert Steinberger and sister Candace 'Candy' Gibbs; and brother-in-law Alan Rosenau.

Deborah is survived by her daughter Lillian & Larry Flickner and their children: Nicole & Christian Wilson, Caleb, Jared and Abigail.  Her son Jeffery & Dawn Santiago and their children: Angel & Natalie, Gabrielle, Ashley and John Martinez, Jessica, Samuel, and their grandchildren: Spencer, Noah and Ezmae.  Siblings Gary and wife Kathy, Tom and wife Kathy, Ken, Patty, and George; and several nieces, nephews, extended family members, friends and loved ones.  She is also survived by stepson Andrew; and stepdaughter Josie Sanjuanita Canfield, who lovingly cared for Deborah in her closing months following the passing of husband Michael.

We close with a hymn of praise and reminder of where her and our hope lie, and these closing words: I Miss you, Mom.

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amen.

There will be a memorial Dinner in Wisconsin at a later date.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services of Springfield, MO.