Anna Mae Canfield

A tribute to our matriarch, Anna Mae Canfield, who departed with grace on Tuesday, January 14, 2014. Never will her lessons of value be forgotten: compassion, love, and laughter…

Our beautiful mother and grandmother was born in the back hills of Kentucky on February 10, 1922 to Troy and Dolly Parsons Carroll. The daughter of a coal miner and farmer, her early childhood was filled with adventures in the corn fields and orchards with siblings, Thelma, Charlie, Amos, and Emil.

In her young adult years Anna worked as a housekeeper for expectant mothers, enjoying church socials as time permitted. At the age of 17, she married her first husband, Gus Tackett. Early in their marriage they traveled west for work in the potato and beat fields, only returning to Kentucky because of the start of World War II. To their union was born a daughter, Pauline, (her children, Michael, Sonja and Donna); and two sons, William, (his children, Billy and Shelby); and Emmett, (his children, Laura and Mark).

After Gus's death, while struggling to keep her young family together, she met and married her second husband, Leroy Hartman. To this union he brought his four children, Harry, Fred, Rosemary, and Elizabeth, who Anna held great fondness for throughout life. Early into their marriage they were blessed with another daughter, Polly, (her children, Tamra, Richard, Jeremy and Theresa). In an attempt to make a fresh start the family moved to Tyhee, Idaho, where they suffered the tragic loss of a stillborn daughter, Pearl. Unable to recover from the heart-ache, divorce followed and the family was separated.

Following, she had a brief marriage to Hipilito Hernandez, to which her youngest child, Paul, was born. Just as she'd adjusted to life on her own (swearing off men forever), she met and married her life partner, John Canfield. Together they operated a small coal business, delivering to families throughout Tyhee and the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. Understanding the struggle of a dollar, it wasn't unusual for John and Anna to entrust credit or barter. Grandma took a person for their word, never forgetting the struggles of her own family during the Great Depression and war eras.

Leading into their retirement they assisted in raising three granddaughters, Aleena, Maria, and Elizabeth. Together, with the girls, their golden years were occupied with huge gardens, hunting, fishing, and endless camping trips to Island Park. With numerous cross country road trips under their belts, the duo's greatest adventure was traveling to Alaska by truck and camper, witnessing unbelievable wildlife and scenery.

Life changed in 1999 with John's death, Anna's focus became beautiful flower gardens and the care of her dogs. A highlight of her later years was holidays and Sunday afternoons, where she considered the dinner table the heart of her family. She always welcomed a surprise coffee visit and wasn't shy about advising when a grandchild needed a good "butt whoopin". A visit never ended without hugs and kisses.

Anna's legacy carries on with her surviving five children, 14 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Family and friends will join in prayer on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 1:00 pm, at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck. Burial will take place at 2:00 pm following the prayer and viewing at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.wilksfuneralhome.com