Anne Gifford Obituary

Anne Hilyer Ryker Vermilye Gifford August 24, 2011 Anne V. Gifford, 89, of Syracuse, NY, died Wednesday, August 24 at home with her family. Anne was born two years after women were allowed to vote. She spent her childhood growing up in Forest Hills, NY and went to finishing school in Switzerland in 1938 on the eve of World War II. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Barnard College and later joined the Coast Guard for the war effort. After marrying Bill Gifford they traveled around the country with steadily increasing children as he worked for 13 different employers, finally ending up at Syracuse University. She also attended SU and obtained a master's degree in Education. They loved to sail the hobbie cat on Skaneateles Lake, skiing at Song Mountain with the kids, and singing around the piano with everyone. She was easy going and interested in her children and their friends lives, creating an atmosphere of welcome and support for everybody. After Bill died of multiple myeloma, 31 years ago, she first taught Reading and GED at the Jamesville Penitentiary, and then bought a bicycle, moved to Cape Cod, found a boyfriend and started a new independent life. She played a mean game of bridge enjoying the duplicate tournaments. Trips became her way to explore, bike, cross-country ski, and make friends. She went on more than 35 Elder hostel trips. She moved back to Syracuse 4 .5 years ago for health reasons and to be close to three of her children, old friends, and make many new ones at the Nottingham. Surviving are her sister, Carole Vermilye Ruhe of Los Angles, CA; daughter, Jennifer (Bob) Shone of Strafford, NH; son, Peter Gifford (Lorraine Koury) of Syracuse; and son, Robert MacGregor Gifford of Skaneateles; daughter, Hilary Gifford (Ben Guthrie) of Trumansburg, NY; two grandchildren, Tristan Shone (Marilia) of San Diego, CA and Brint Shone (Tatjiana) of Portsmouth, NH; two great-grandchildren, Masi Shone and Marina Shone. Memorial Service will be 3:15 p.m. on Friday, September 2 at the Craftsman Inn and Conference Center, 7300 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville, NY. Calling hours prior to the service from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Contributions may be made to Hospice of CNY, 990 7th North St., Liverpool, NY 13088. Arrangements by Fairchild & Meech DeWitt Chapel.

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Published by Syracuse Post Standard on Aug. 30, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Anne Gifford

6 Entries

July 13, 2012

I only learned today that you had lost your mother and my longtime friend in Skaneateles. I have been working in China and am now back home. She was a terrific person. We had a great trip to visit her several years ago when she was living in Cape Cod: Ann Wiles, Janet Besse, Mary Ayer and myself. My deepest sympathy to all of you. Jigger

September 6, 2011

Dear Hillary, Peter, Jennifer and Robert,
On behalf of our mother, Anna Timell, and ourselves, we offer our condolences for the loss of your mother. Mom, who is still with us, valued Mrs. Gifford's friendship enormously and shared many many wonderful times with your Mom in Syracuse, Cape Cod and Skaneateles. We remember her most fondly and are sorry that the world has lost another of her generation's great and singular ladies.
Our thoughts are with you.
Anna Timell, Britta Zantout, Mimi Timell

September 1, 2011

Ah, the sun sets one last time on one of the Grand Dames and one of my surrogate mothers, Anne Gifford. She had unfailing faith in me that I could do anything including catering, although I hadn't a clue. I'll never forget slicing celery in her kitchen preparing for one of her frequent cocktail and hors d'ourves gatherings, 1972 or so. I had availed myself of one or two, ahem, pre-party toasts, and Anne came in with a few early arrival guests exclaiming how excited she was to have help in the kitchen; how she couldn't get her sons do to such menial tasks and "look at how fast Peter (me) can slice celery!" It was like she was showing off a new magical appliance.
So right on cue, in front of her guests I take my eye off the ball (tennis. anyone!) and drive the knife so deeply into my forefinger (and ace!) that blood spurts up into the air and quickly colors the pile of celery sticks a rich burgundy.
She didn't miss a beat, ushered her guest back out to the dinning room and from that point on I was relegated to fixing the plumbing at the Skaneateles house. Once again i didn't have a clue, but Anne was so sure I was the right person for the job. Did anyone ever have any trouble with that toilet? Ha!
Today I am fully competent and completely confident in my domestic abilites, thanks to Anne, which all began developing back there on Ostrom Ave. Although I have to say, I still have to tinker with my toilet today on a daily basis.
Thanks, Anne, you are now an angel.
Peter Hoople
Plamer, Alaska

Ann Kornbluth

August 31, 2011

Dear Hilary and Family: Dick and I were saddened to hear that your mother passed away, and our hearts go out to you. I'll never forget our trip to Skaneateles last year for a concert at the Festival with you and your mother and how much she loved music and a chance to enjoy your company. She was so proud of her children's accomplishments and especially the time she could spend talking with your friends and clients at the Custom Cloth studio.

John Brown

August 30, 2011

Dear Peter, Mac, and Family: I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing. I will keep her and all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

August 30, 2011

Dear Peter and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this solemn time.
Steve Abush and Family

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