GLADYS "PEBBLE" GIFFORD

1938 - 2025

GIFFORD, Gladys "Pebble" Harvard Square Preservation Champion, Dies at 86 A passionate advocate for community preservation and a respected figure in Cambridge, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully, on March 13, 2025, at the age of 86. Known for her tireless dedication to protecting the charm and character of Harvard Square, Pebble was a trailblazer in local activism and civic engagement. Born on July 28, 1938, Pebble was the eldest daughter of Dr. Arnold Porter and Gladys Hinckley Porter of Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Smith College and Northeastern University School of Law, she melded her legal expertise with a deep passion for community service. In 1979, she founded the Harvard Square Defense Fund (HSDF), a grassroots organization that emerged in response to a 1972 proposal to build the JFK Presidential Library and Museum on the Charles River, where the JFK Memorial Park stands today. Pebble went on to serve multiple terms as HSDF president, including an extended tenure in the 1990s. Under her leadership, the organization played a pivotal role in preserving Harvard Square's historic character, by preventing fast-food franchises, influencing local developments such as Harvard's Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts and the Charles Square project and advocating for responsible urban planning. Her leadership left an indelible mark on Cambridge. In later years, she helped rebrand the organization as the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association, to continue her mission of inclusive community advocacy. Pebble's legacy extends far beyond her activism. She was known for her salient wit, unwavering determination and deep love for her neighborhood. Her home often served as a gathering place for friends and neighbors and she was a passionate traveler, historian, gardener, opera lover and cook. Pebble is survived by her three sisters, Priscilla Wolff, Nancy Porter and Mary Porter; four children, Dun Gifford, Jr., Porter Gifford, Chad Gifford and Apple Gifford; and six grandchildren, Suzannah, Abbott, Lake, Zinnia, Lucy and Noah. Her legacy of community service, preservation advocacy and dedication to Cambridge will continue to inspire future generations. Pebble's vision and dedication will be remembered by all who love Cambridge and Harvard Square as much as she did. A Memorial Service will be held on a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Harvard Square Neighborhood Association or a preservation organization of your choice in her honor.

View the online memorial for Gladys "Pebble" GIFFORD