SCOTIA – Margaret Shirley (Flanders) Gifford, 90, formerly of South Glens Falls and Hudson Falls, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at the Baptist Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Scotia.
Born on April 4, 1927 in Glenville, she was the daughter of the late Arthur and Lena (Wood) Flanders.
On May 1, 1954, Shirley married Russell Gifford in Canaan, CT. He passed away on November 18, 2004, after almost 50 years of marriage.
Shirley was employed in the display department at the Schenectady Gazette and for 25 years as a quality control inspector at General Electric in Fort Edward, retiring in 1987. While at GE, Shirley worked long hard hours then went home to care for her family.
She was a member of the Hudson Falls United Methodist Church and the General Electric Quarter Century Club.
Shirley enjoyed golfing and bowling with her husband and family. She also loved fishing, boating and camping with her family on the Great Sacandaga Lake. Shirley was an avid reader throughout her life and enjoyed working on adult coloring books during her stay at the Baptist Nursing and Rehab Center. Her family was the center of her life. Shirley was a wonderful lady who was gentle and compassionate with all those around her.
Beside her parents and husband, Shirley was predeceased by her brother, Almon A. Flanders and her two sisters, Thelma Bennett and her husband, Robert and Beverly Colwel and her husband, Arthur.
Survivors include her children Gary R. Gifford and his wife, Jane of Scotia and Debra Marino and her husband, Daniel, of South Glens Falls; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be no calling hours.
Graveside Services will be conducted in the spring at Union Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Moreau Emergency Squad, Inc., 1583 Route 9, Fort Edward, NY 12828.
90 years may seam like a long life to some but when it is your mom, 90 is not nearly enough. We are so very sorry for your loss. It has been a very tough week for you all and we truly wish we could do something to relieve you pain.