Shirley B. Gifford, 98, of Newton, and formerly of Holliston and Wellesley, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Born in Framingham, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Dorothy (Pond) Bell.
Shirley was a strong and independent woman. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 1952. She was an avid reader and enjoyed swimming and taking walks in nature. Shirley was known for her intelligence and her vivacious personality.
Shirley had a son, Donny Gifford, who passed away in 1986. She is survived by her children, Robert Gifford of Bourne; Alan Gifford and his wife, Patricia of Natick; and Pamela Adams Gifford of Limerick, Ireland. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Katharine Sigworth of Michigan, Madeleine Conway of Brewster, Christine Gifford of Framingham, Shane O’Ceallaigh of Ireland, Samuel Gifford of Seattle, Kimberly Boland of Georgia, Dubheasa O’Ceallaigh of Ireland and Aodhan Gyory of New York and Aislinn O’Ceallaigh (deceased). In addition, Shirley leaves her great-grandchildren Cadence, Nora, Louis, Elijah, and Owen. Shirley is predeceased by her sisters, Nancy Patten and Beverly Lawson. She was the former wife of the late Gordon B. Gifford Jr. of Wellesley.
A private service will be held for Shirley, with burial following at Lake Grove Cemetery in Holliston. In lieu of flowers; donations may be made in Shirley’s memory to Dana-Farber, www.dana-farber.org, or to MGH Cancer Institute, give.massgeneralbrigham.org/donate/cancer-institute/ Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com
