Melida Horn Canfield, longtime resident of North Tustin, passed away on September 21, 2019. Born June 25, 1932 in Missouri, she moved to Santa Barbara in 1947. She had lifelong friendships from her days at Santa Barbara High School and University of California, Santa Barbara as a Delta Gamma.

She moved to Tustin in 1957 to raise her family. She soon became a community volunteer and continued to increase her involvement and circle of friends over the next six decades. She gave her time and her talents to so many and was active in several organizations up until her final days. PEO (Chapter RA), Chapman University Town & Gown, Assistance League of Santa Ana, Crescendo Chapter of the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts – she was always willing to take a leadership role and encourage new members to become involved. She dearly loved her friends in these organizations, as well as her lifelong friends in her two gourmet groups and her neighborhood where she lived for over 40 years.

Melida made a life-changing decision in 1977 when she became a licensed Realtor and started to develop her business at Donald M. Bird, Associates. She knew every street in North Tustin and provided sound guidance to her clients and friends on purchasing and selling their homes. In 1981 she joined Seven Gables Real Estate, and was very proud of her accomplishments, her colleagues and the firm. Many of her clients became friends.

Melida loved her family and always looked forward to their visits, special occasions and family dinners. She is survived by Ginger Seitz (Jim), Carolyn Schaffer (Tom), and Mike Canfield (Lainie); her seven grandchildren – Katie McKinnon, William Seitz, Andrew Seitz, Leigh Schaffer, Kevin Schaffer, Lexi Canfield, Matthew Canfield; and her great-grand daughter Taylor McKinnon.

A celebration of Melida’s life will be held at Trinity United Presbyterian Church in North Tustin on October 3, 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to the organizations that meant so much to Melida.