Susan W. Gifford

Susan Williams Gifford, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away peacefully at her home in Wareham, Mass., on Oct. 22, 2024, at the age of 64 surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Susan was born on Nov. 3, 1959, to Siegfried Piontek and Regina (Schwanke) Piontek. She was raised in St. Joseph where she graduated from St. Joseph High School prior to graduating from Western Michigan University as a member of the class of 1982.

Susan moved to Massachusetts and settled in Wareham in 1996. She married her husband, Mark Gifford on May 27, 2000, and they were happily married for 24 years. She served as Massachusetts state representative from the 2nd Plymouth District of Carver, Middleboro and Wareham, and House minority whip for the last 20 years.

Susan is survived by her loving husband, Mark Gifford; her brother Ron Piontek and his wife, Anna Mary (Green), of Cincinnati; her brother Jeff Piontek and his partner, Soti McGinley; and her sister, Kim Piontek of St. Joseph; four step-children; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life was held on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Boston Tavern in Middleboro, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rob Cunningham Foundation, 4 Gallagher Drive, Plymouth, MA 02360, to the Southcoast VNA, 200 Mill St., Fairhaven, MA 02719, or to Hospice Services of MA – Wareham, 2527 Cranberry Hwy, Wareham, MA 02571.