Shirley A. Gifford

Shirley Anne (Clute) Gifford, age 90, of Duanesburg, NY passed away peacefully at home on December 10, 2025 after a brief period of illness.

She was born to in Glens Falls NY on February 26, 1935 where she lived for a several years. Ultimately the family moved to Rensselaer NY. She attended Van Rensselaer high school, where she excelled in academics, and was a drum majorette. After graduation she began her first job working at the Kresge store in Albany. A local bank executive frequented the store, and she drew their attention for her excellent work ethic and customer service. She later was offered a position in that bank, where she rose through the ranks quickly and competently. She was offered a branch manager position, relatively unheard of for women in that era.

However her heart was for home and family, and she instead married and moved to Delanson, NY. She was a diligent wife and mother, and as with her every other endeavor, she excelled at the art of home making. Lush vegetable gardens, home canned goods of all sorts, fresh meals and bountiful flower beds were her craft, and her art.

She returned to the working world when the children were older as a waitress in her brother in law’s restaurant, Charlie’s Diner. She herself felt that she was too shy to learn the ropes of waitressing, but very quickly came out of her shell and truly blossomed as one of their most beloved waitresses. Customers joked that she must have had roller skates on behind that counter, as quickly as she served everyone in their turn.

It was there she met her second husband George Gifford, to whom she was happily married until his passing.

Shirley was a quiet and private homebody, but even in later years enjoyed senior bus trips and volunteering in her church office. Her pride and joy was in her grandchildren and ultimately the excitement of great grandchildren, all of whom she adored. She was known for her zany sense of humor and for her faith in Jesus, and her faithfulness to her church.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Fanny Josephine and Chauncey Clute, husband George Gifford and step-daughter Diane Gifford. She is survived by her brother, Peter Muller, son Roger Heckman, daughter Nancy McDermott, grandchildren Sara Zelazny, Jason Heckman, Anne Marie Civitello, Heather Heckman, Kristin Stewart, and M. ‘Mo’ McDermott. In addition she was blessed with 2 great grandchildren: Parker James Civitello and Adeline Stewart.

Special thanks is given to Community Care Hospice for their dedicated and compassionate care of Shirley in the last six weeks of her life.

A memorial service will be held on February 17, 2026 at 11am at the Princetown Church located at 3662 Giffords Church Rd, Duanesburg, NY 12056. A Visitation will precede the service from 10-11am.