Barbara “Bobbie” Canfield, 87, of Lexington passed away on Nov. 23, 2025.

Bobbie was born in Arlington in 1938.  She was an only child, and grew up in a neighborhood that included her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.  She was an obedient daughter, a reliable friend, and a regular church goer, receiving attendance awards for Sunday school in her youth. 

She graduated from Washington-LeeHigh School in 1956 and went to work as a clerk at the Pentagon. The president of the United States once waved to her as he passed through the building (this was John F. Kennedy, and not George Washington, as one of her grandchildren later assumed). She met Army Private Verne Canfield at church, and they married in 1958.  They lived in Northern Virginia for several years, and adopted their first child Sheri in 1962.  In 1964 they moved to Lexington, where her husband coached basketball at Washington and LeeUniversity.  The adoptions of children Ron, Lori and Rob quickly followed.

Bobbie was a full time mom and wife, energetically shuttling the kids back and forth, leading Brownie groups, sewing clothes, helping with team dinners and basketball camps, and keeping house. She took the kids to the Lexington Country Club pool on summer afternoons, bought books for Sheri, drums for Ronnie, dolls for Lori, and toy guns for Robbie.  Bobbie cared for numerous pets and helped with countless projects for school and Scouts. 

She was also devoted to her parents, driving the kids to visit them in Arlington every few weeks.  These grandparents were lively and fun-loving, and created many great memories for Bobbie’s kids (as Bobbie eventually did for her own grandkids).

After divorcing, Bobbie went to work for the Buena Vista medical associates, where she formed close friendships with her coworkers.  Eventually she followed her lifelong dream to work with children, opening her own home-based preschool.  She later ran the Manly Memorial Baptist Church preschool for 20 years, coming to know many of the local kids and families.  She kept up with many of “her kids” throughout her life.

Bobbie was an involved church goer who looked for ways to help others.  She thrived on teasing and talking with people throughout the community. She volunteered at church and at the Free Clinic, visited nursing home residents at Kendal, and was a reliable babysitter even into her 80s.  Bobbie, however, was no cook, and stories of her improvised potluck dishes will go down in family history. 

Friends were important to Bobbie, and she had quite a few close friends during her life.  She enjoyed crafts, card games and car trips, shopping and dinners out, laughing and long conversations.

Bobbie loved being a grandmother, and enjoyed coming up with special gifts and experiences for her grandkids, leaving them with very fond and fun memories of her.

In 2016 Bobbie suffered a severe stroke.  After a lengthy recovery, she was able to return to her own home, thanks to son Rob’s daily visits and assistance.  In 2022 she moved to live with daughter Lori and son-in-law Jim.  Lori and Jim tended Mom in her final days. The family is most grateful to Rob, Lori and Jim for their loving and excellent caretaking of Mom.

Bobbie is survived by her children Sheri Canfield Schoenebeck (Dennis) of Green Bay, Wis., Ron Canfield (Dana) of Cross Junction, Lori Canfield Glass (Jim) of Mechanicsville, and Rob Canfield of Lexington; and grandchildren Dexter Wyckoff, Abigail, Alex and Madalyn Canfield, Sidney, Austin, Camden and Reid Glass, and Addysun and Asher Canfield. 

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m. at Manly Memorial BaptistChurch in Lexington. Visitation will be held after the service in the church fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions can be made to the youth group of Manly MemorialBaptist Church.

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