Obituary of Mary Lou Gifford

Mary Lou Gifford, 72, of 2431 Keller Road Ashville, NY died at 5:15 a.m. Wednesday (March 17, 2010) in WCA Hospital. A Western NY resident since 1956, she was born April 28, 1937 in Corry, PA the daughter of the late Henry E. and Twila E. Miles Nelson. Mary Lou was a graduate of Youngsville High School and for 17 years worked at Truck-Lite, retiring in 1994. Mary was a caring woman who enjoyed spending time with her family and creating a welcoming environment for the birds and bunnies in the neighborhood. Mary loved gardening, knitting, and crocheting, and shared her husband's love for fishing. Surviving are her husband, Burdette F. Gifford Sr. whom she married August 28, 1954 in Corry; a daughter, Elizabeth D. Gifford of Jamestown; five sons, Randy E. Gifford of Bemus Point; Burdette F. Gifford Jr.; Gene E. Gifford; Richard N. Gifford; all of Jamestown; Matthew L. Gifford of Ashville; 22 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; a sister, Bonita A. Nunn of Winston-Salem, NC; and three brothers, Elwood B. Nelson; John A. Nelson; and Alan L. Nelson all of Corry. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by five sisters, Louise G. Nelson; Dorothy M. May; Anna M. Conklin; Betty M. Ross; Donna B. Brown; and a brother, William K. Nelson. A Memorial Service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday March 20, 2010 in the Lind Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service Saturday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society; or the American Diabetes Association.