NORWICH – Mary L. Gifford, 85, long-time Norwich resident, passed away early Friday morning, July 14, 2006, in the New York State Veterans’ Home of Oxford, where she had resided for the past year.
Born in Hallstead, Pa., on March 29, 1921, Mary was the daughter of Harry and Helen (Gratten) Walton. Growing up in the Hallstead and Susquehanna areas, she attended the Hallstead schools. In 1943, Mary moved to Norwich and, during her years here, worked for various employers including Berglas Manufacturing, Piscatello’s Restaurant, the Carriage House Restaurant, and the dietary department of Chenango Memorial Hospital, and had done housecleaning for Dr. Kelly. She will best be remembered as the well-liked and well-known waitress for the Oxford Inn, where she worked for close to 20 years. Mary was a very active and involved member of the VFW Christy Rock Post #2782 of Norwich, where she enjoyed helping with the bingo, and a life member of the VFW Auxiliary. She was also a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and had belonged to the Ave Maria Guild of St. Bartholomew’s Church. On March 22, 1980, Mary married John Gifford, who predeceased her on Dec. 18, 2002.
Mary is survived by her children: Richard Hendrickson ofGreene, Michael Hendrickson and wife Victoria of Norwich, Robert Hendrickson of Oxford, James Hendrickson of Virginia Beach, and Helen Anthony and husband Lynn of Oxford; and by her sister, Emma Keat ofBinghamton. She is also survived by several grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition to her husbands, Julius Hendrickson and John Gifford, Mary was predeceased by her sister, Elizabeth Tinklepaugh, and her brother, Henry Walton.
Friends are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. Graveside memorial services for Mary will be held on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. from St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Oxford. The Rev. Douglas Cunningham, pastor of the Church of the Holy Apostles, will officiate.