Mary and I only worked together 1 year when we were Gifted Ed teachers at a new school that just opened in our district.  We had so much fun sharing, learning from each other while working with the students and staff.  Mary was truly a kind-hearted, gifted person and educator.  RIP

Saddened to just find out today that Mary had passed away in June. I truly wish the family had posted an obituary in the Wausau and Merrill, WI newspaper. She had so many friends here!

I worked with Mary for several years in the G/T program in Merrill, WI. She was a caring, loving teacher that encouraged her students to be proud of themselves! They loved her❤️

I stopped to visit her in Chattanooga many times on our way to or from FL each year.  Wonderful friend ; beautiful person!

 I had the privilege to work with and learn from Mary during her last several years at Riverside Elementary.  Mary was one of the most intelligent, insightful, and classy people I have ever encountered. She  mentored me both in teaching and life.  The genuine love her students and their families had for Mary was so deserved.  She returned that love tenfold, even having sleepovers and special  meals for her classes.  I was once told that I had the most difficult teaching assignment in the district because I was the teacher who had to follow Mary Gifford.  It was well worth it to work alongside  a one in a million teacher and person!

Mary Gifford possessed a talent for teaching that was out of this world, in addition to being a delightful person. As a parent, I learned so much from Mary. Someone once remarked after both of my daughters had been taught by Mary, that they had likely just experienced the best teacher that they would ever have. My children, along with so many others, were so very fortunate to have experienced such a spectacular, immeasurable influence both over their early school years, but one that also still resonates and endures today.   

My children were so blessed to have Mary as their first & second grade teacher at Riverside Elementary. She sparked a love of reading, curiosity, and taught them the importance of supporting each other as learners. My children still talk about the weekly newspaper her class put together, the all school play Mary helped organize, and how she made everyone feel special.  She was the cornerstone of my children's educational journey.


Mrs. Gifford was an amazing teacher for us while we were in her 1-2nd grade classroom at Riverside Elementary.  She was also a great supporting mentor for us as we aged.  I had the privilege of being her assistant for years of summer school classes, and her demonstrating how to prepare and teach is part of what's made me a successful educator (even though I'm not a classroom teacher).  I don't know of any other 1-2nd grade teacher who got invited to so many high school graduations.  In college, groups of her former students would sit around to reminisce about Mrs. Gifford as a beloved teacher, and update each other on when we last got the opportunity to talk to her.  With her migraines she personally set an example of doing what we individually needed to do, vs treating us all equal, as she carried around her sleeve of saltines in the classroom.  As us students had different needs, be they levels of giftedness, 2E, or migraines of our own, she readily identified those needs, and encouraged and supported us individually.  These were all invaluable lessons as I've been a highly gifted adult in a large corporate culture not designed for one with sensitivities, a gifted education advocate in my own local school district, and a parent raising my own profoundly gifted children. Mrs. Gifford, we miss you, I wish my kids could have had you as their own teacher too.

Mary taught and designed programs for gifted and talented students in Wisconsin for about 20 years.  She taught our children over a span of 14 of those years, challenging them and understanding the particular needs of the very bright.  Mary had a lasting impact on all of us and will never be forgotten.  She was unique.  

I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a remarkable woman. I worked with her at Riverside Elementary School in Wisconsin for nine years. She never failed to amaze me. Her insights into students and her knowledge of ways to reach them were phenomenal. I will always admire her. She taught me so much!

I’m so sorry to hear about Mary’s death! Both of my girls were her students in first and second grade. She was an absolutely amazing teacher, and such a wonderful, caring person! We were talking about her the other night before we heard the sad news, wishing my grandkids could have a teacher like her. My condolences to all her family and friends.

I first met Mary in August of 1978 when we were both hired as grade 4/5 elementary teachers for the DC Everest School District in Weston,  Wisconsin, at Evergreen  Elementary School. It was my first year in the district and 5th year teaching. It was Mary's first year in the district as well but she had much experience teaching in Illinois. Mary definitely had a presence with her outstanding style in clothes and jewelry and impeccable make up. She was just as beautiful on the inside and so knowledgeable of how to reach kids through her teaching and role modeling. Our school was open concept, something Mary was so comfortable in, and I taught in the area next to her. I spent much of my day watching her teach so as to better my skills. I worked extra hard to focus on my students but I always had an eye and ear on her teaching strategies. That same year Mary and I were part of a 4 member team that put together a new school in the DE Everest District (Riverside Elementary) that opened in the fall of 1979. In the years that Mary was in the DCE schools, she touched so many lives and  influenced her students and co-workers and parents in countless ways. She left a giant footprint in central Wisconsin. If a family member can contact me, there is so much more I would like to share about Mary.  Not only did I learn a lot from Mary, my son was also in her gifted and talented classes. edwardsaugustine@yahoo.com

Mary C was such a good Bible class teacher and Bible student. We have enjoyed some good times together since 2013. We are so sorry for your loss and pray for God’s peace for you. She sure fought hard to get well. We have missed her so much. Rest In Peace.

OBITUARY

Mary Catherine Gifford

December 26, 1942 – June 6, 2020

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist - East Chapel

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