Elsie E. Johnson Gifford

Elsie E. Johnson Gifford, 97, was promoted to glory on Monday, March 31, 2014, at Forestview Skilled Nursing Center, in Erie, Pa. She was born September 20, 1916, in Providence, R.I., a daughter of the late Gustaf H. and Elin E. Johnson.

Elsie worked for the Atlantic Richfield / BP Company, in Rhode Island, as a secretary. She was a member of the Salvation Army, helping in the Erie Senior Citizens Center, and was a member of the Belle Valley Grange. She attended 10th Street United Methodist Church and loved baking and helping her husband with his beautiful flower garden.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Gifford; sister Evelyn and her husband Caleb; brother Carl and his wife Esther; and sisters-in-law, Esther Johnson and Esther Zirkle and her husband Sam.

Survivors include her nephew, Raymond Ronander and his wife Charlene; three nieces, Judi Clark, Karen Laughlin, and Ingrid Vancise; two stepchildren, Sue Sharon and her husband Allen of Colorado and Blaine Gifford and his wife Kris of Montana; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the Celebration of Life Service at the Salvation Army, 1022 Liberty St., at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private in Highland Memorial Park, in Johnston, R.I.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Salvation Army, 1022 Liberty St., Erie, PA 16502 or 10th St. United Methodist Church, 538 E. 10th St., Erie, PA 16503.

Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign the Book of Memories.

Sign the Guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits