Elizabeth Sara (Gardner) Steinfeld, age 78, of Providence, Rhode Island and formerly of California and New York, passed away Friday, January 9, 2026, at her residence surrounded by her loving family. She was the wife of Michael Steinfeld, with whom she shared fifty-eight years of marriage.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Moses and Theda (Siegel) Gardner.
A graduate of Queens College, she went on to study and teach at the Boston Architectural Center, and built a thriving landscape design practice throughout her career. Liz lived many different places - from New York, to Mt.Kisco, to Brookline, to Los Angeles and then Santa Rosa - along the way making her art, building her practice, cultivating community, and forming life-long friendships wherever she was.
In addition to her husband Michael, she is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Steinfeld and her husband David Frockt of Seattle, Washington; her son, Benjamin Steinfeld and his wife Katherine Hewitt of Providence, Rhode Island; three grandchildren, Annabelle Frockt, Samuel Frockt and Leo Steinfeld; and dear nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was the sister of the late Deborah Gardner.
Her funeral service will be held Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 12:00 pm in the Redwood Chapel in Swan Point Cemetery, 585 Blackstone Blvd., Providence. Burial will follow.
Those unable to attend services may join via livestream at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83638432255?pwd=croapE9j7NH9laG8dnb9LR3A0qnaZ3.1
Shiva will be observed following lunch at the Steinfeld residence from 3:00-5:00pm.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011 and the ACLU, 125 Broad Street, 18th floor, New York, NY 10004.
Arrangements are in the care of Sugarman-Sinai Memorial Chapel.
