Mavis June Caulfield

Mavis June (Reichenberg) Caulfield, 93, died peacefully from natural causes at her home, Elders Inn, on Monday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Alameda, Calif. Mavis was born July 21, 1927, in Arthur, Neb. As a young girl her family moved to Napa, Calif., and she graduated in 1944 from Napa Union High School. In 1948, she married George Richard Caulfield and they remained in Napa until October 2008 when they relocated to Alameda to be more centrally located to their three daughters.

Mavis was a true renaissance woman. In Napa, the walls of the family home were adorned with her oil paintings and photos she snapped then printed in an on-site darkroom, while gourmet meals were often prepared with homegrown vegetables picked fresh from the garden and served in a dish she threw on a handcrafted potter’s wheel on the backyard patio. She loved sewing, quilting and took classes in flower arranging, ceramics, art history and appreciation and more at Napa College. Mavis passed on many of her passions to her three daughters. Eldest daughter Jan shares her love of quilting. Middle daughter Julia tends a beautiful vegetable and rose garden and is a masterful cook and flower arranger. Youngest daughter Kathryn has a passion for graphic design, paper crafts and letterpress printing.

Mavis also lived a life in service to others. When her daughters were young, she led their Bluebird, Campfire and Brownie troops. As they got older, through the 4-H program, she taught sewing, cooking and home decorating classes to the three girls and other young people and served as a camp counselor. Women’s programs at the Napa Methodist Church also featured prominently in her life. She found particular fulfillment serving as a Stephen Minister, providing one-to-one care and companionship to others experiencing difficult times.

Mavis’ beloved husband of 63 years preceded her in death in 2011, at which time she elected to move to Elders Inn, where she continued to live an active and creative life. Her days were filled with art classes, discussion groups, church services, twice-weekly personal training, and more. Each afternoon, you would find Mavis camped out in the Elders Inn café sipping coffee and nibbling a cookie, while she chatted with staff and residents or worked a word puzzle to keep her mind active. She was known throughout the community for her sunny disposition and being “game” for most anything (except Bingo!). Mavis’ family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care she received from the staff at Elders Inn and its sister facility The Lodge. Not only did they provide for her physical needs, but they opened their hearts to her with friendship and kindness. She lived a full and happy life during her years in their care.

Mavis is survived by her daughter Janet (Caulfield) Schardt of Wellington, Nev., whose husband Thomas is deceased; daughter Julia Caulfield and husband Kevin Wandryk of Los Altos, Calif., and daughter Kathryn Caulfield and husband, Robert Chrobak, of Carmel, Calif.; brother Bill Reichenberg and wife Arlene of Napa, Calif.; as well as four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mavis will be laid to rest in Tulocay Cemetery, Napa. The family suggests memorial contributions to The Elders Inn Employee Recognition Fund, 1721 Webster St., Alameda, CA 94501.

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