Barbara Louise Canfield

On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, Barbara Canfield, known as Bobbie by absolutely everyone, passed away at the age of 90 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Bobbie was born on June 12, 1931 in Newark, New Jersey to Fred and Jean (Thomas) Canfield and grew up in Bloomfield, New Jersey. When it was time to go to college, she chose to attend the New Jersey College for Women which was renamed Douglass College soon after her graduation. She loved her undergraduate years possibly more for the fun times with friends than for the classes. After graduation, she worked at the NJ Bell Telephone Company and became a founding member of the Short Hills Ski Club where she met many life-long friends.

A few years after graduation, Bobbie embarked on a two week European trip with a friend, but much to the dismay of her parents, ended up staying for nine months hitchhiking throughout Europe. So many great stories came out of this trip, and it was the start of a life-time love of travel.

In 1960, Bobbie moved to Cranford, New Jersey and began working for the Union County, New Jersey Department of Social Services. She enjoyed her job and retired after thirty five years as an Administrative Supervisor. Along the way, she earned her Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She always said graduate school was not as much fun as undergraduate and was relieved when she was done so she could get back to enjoying her free time with friends.

Bobbie had so many interests. She enjoyed deep sea fishing, the beach, bus trips into New York City, photography, plays at the Paper Mill Playhouse, eating out, playing bridge, and of course, traveling. Every summer for many years, Bobbie and her mother, sister, niece and nephew vacationed in Bay Head, NJ and were always sad when it was time to head home. During retirement, Bobbie joined a camera club, took computer classes, attended fitness classes and ventured off on many, many trips. She regularly had lunch with her ski club and Douglass College friends.

For almost 60 years, Bobbie lived in Cranford, New Jersey and thoroughly loved living there. In 2019, she moved to a retirement community in Baltimore to be closer to family, but she was often thinking of Cranford.

Bobbie is survived by her sister Dorothy Marshall and husband Russell of Catonsville, Maryland; nephew David Marshall of Baltimore, Maryland; and niece Susan Marshall and husband Lee Maddox of York, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her significant other Sherm Currie.

A memorial service will be held in Cranford, New Jersey later in the spring. If you would like to be notified about the memorial service, please call Susan Marshall at (717) 741-0237 or email her at susan.marshall@me.com.