Cheryl Canfield

life story

Cheryl Canfield

Cheryl, a beautiful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, will be missed by those whose lives she touched.

Cheryl Marie Cox was born on Oct. 20, 1953 in Austin, MN to Ellie and Jim Cox, she was the third of their six daughters. Cheryl spent her childhood in Rochester, Mn where she graduated from Lourdes High School in 1972. She later earned her RN degree from North Hennepin Community College.

Most of Cheryl’s career was spent working at Abbot Hospital in Postpartum/Labor and Delivery. She was dedicated to her profession, working tirelessly in a field that gave her immense satisfaction. While at Abbot she made countless close friends, many of whom supported her during her battle with cancer.

The last portion of her nursing career was spent at Women’s Health Consulting in Minneapolis. She was a tireless advocate of women’s health rights.

While her career gave her purpose and satisfaction, her true passion was her family. Cheryl married Bill Canfield, her high school sweetheart, on May 22, 1976. Their daughter Kelli was born in 1981 and she has brought them immense pride and joy. Kelli and her husband Tom Barsness blessed Cheryl and Bill with two lively and loving grandchildren, Paxton and Ella. The grandchildren adored their grandmother and to her last days found her loving hugs irresistible.

Cheryl had many hobbies and outside interests, she was a fabulous cook, skilled knitter, avid scrapbooker, jewelry maker and amateur photographer. These skills covered her artistic side but she was also a small but mighty athletic competitor, and competed as part of a women’s golf league and a spirited bowling league.

Cheryl loved to travel and enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Italy and Mexico with Bill, Spain with her sisters and nieces, and many fall trips to Captiva Island, FL, a spot she dubbed “her happy place”.

Cheryl is survived by her husband Bill, daughter Kelli (Tom Barsness), grandchildren Paxton and Ella; mother-in-law Rosalie Canfield; sisters Connie (Reid) Pederson, Cindy Cox, Cathy (Mark) Sparks, Celeste (Ron) Hanson and Carin Cox; sister-in-law Linda Canfield (Jim Thornton) and brother-in-law Mike (Lisa) Canfield. Additionally, she has 16 nieces and nephews and 21 great-nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James E Cox and Eleanore Cox and her father-in-law William F. Canfield.

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” - Mahatma Ghandi

This mantra guided Cheryl through the battle of her life. She leaves behind a legacy of love, dedication and courage.

memorial service

Funeral Mass

September 21, 2023

St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church 7180 Hemlock Ln N, Maple Grove, MN 55369, USA

There will be a period of visitation at 10 am preceding the funeral.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services