Maddisen Canfield

August 15, 1953 - August 31, 2021

Maddisen Canfield aka. Luann Marie Mulkey Maddisen Canfield passed away in her sleep on August 31, 2021 in her home in the Town of Apple Valley, CA that she shared with her best friend, Mary Dellavalle. Maddisen Canfield was born as Luann Marie Mulkey in San Luis Obispo, California on August 15, 1953 to Lenore Therese Herrera and Claude Paul Mulkey. She spent her early years in Arroyo Grande area of San Luis Obispo County before her family moved to Pine Grove in Amador County, California. She graduated from Amador County High School and worked in family businesses prior to enlisting in the US Army in 1975. After serving four years in the US Army she moved to the area surrounding Bell Gardens of Southern California to establish a household with her common law wife Noreen Robinson (Robbie), who she met and worked with in the Army. While in the Army, Maddisen Canfield (Sergeant Mulkey) earned The Army Commendation Medal for distinguishing herself by exceptionally meritorious achievement from 25 January 1979 to 5 June 1979 while serving as a Motor Sergeant and Prescribed Load List Clerk in the 504th Maintenance Company. Her certificate read “During this period Sergeant Mulkey was responsible for revitalizing a deteriorating Motor Pool by streamlining organizational procedures, increasing quality control, and lowering the average downtime of organizational equipment. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that she demonstrated outstanding technical competence while performing in a position authorized a Sergeant First Class. Sergeant Mulkey’s outstanding professionalism reflects great credit upon herself and the United States Army.” With encouragement and support from Robbie, Maddisen became a life long scholar and earned the following: Associate of Arts from Compton Community College; Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from California State University, Dominguez Hills; Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino; Medical Unit Specialist from California Paramedical and Technical College, Certificate of Completion in Alcohol and Drug Studies from San Bernardino Valley College; Certification of Completion in Addiction Severity Index Training from San Bernardino Valley College. She earned the following awards: Membership in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at California State University, San Bernardino, Deans list with 4.0 grade point average from San Bernardino Valley College from 1997 to 1998, Graduation with Highest Honors from Compton Community College, and a Third Degree Dan Certificate (Black Belt) in Taekwondo from Kukkiwon. When not studying or working as either a Computer Consultant or an Addiction Counselor, Maddisen enjoyed road trips with her friends, leather working, attending events sponsored by DAV (Disabled American Veterans), playing computer games, and caring for her pets. She particularly enjoyed giving regular reports on social dynamics of her chickens to anyone who was willing to listen – or not. Family history was a source of pride for Maddisen and she loved telling stories from her family history. She was a member of Los Californianos descending from Manuel Butron who participated in the Portolá expedition, which was the first European exploration on land in California. Manuel Butron is buried in the floor of the Carmel Mission. Maddisen is survived by two sisters, Paulette Merrill and Claudette Apedaile; two nieces, Karen Leslie Apedaile Mc Cormick, Theresa Michelle Merrill Sorensen; one nephew, Edward Cressey Merrill IV. and many grandnieces and grandnephews including: Grace Emily McCormick, Rose Adeline McCormick, Lillian Therese Sorensen, Nathaniel James Sorensen, Keylin Rene Merrill and Edward Cressey Merrill V.