Obituary of Helen Gifford

Mrs. Helen “Jonnie” Mildred Gifford passed away at the Saint John Regional Hospital on November 3, 2013. Born in Saint John on March 3, 1919 she was a daughter of the late William Joel Byers and Elizabeth Clarke. The wife of the late Henry C. Gifford. She was a member of the Beaconsfield Rubies Seniors Club, the Hilltop Seniors Citizens Group, and the St. Rose C.W.L. Also she was a member of St. Rose of Lima Parish, and the Milford Memorial Community Center Seniors Group. Helen and her Husband Henry raised 104 foster children from 1945 until 1985. Helen is survived by two sons, Michael J. (Sandra) Gifford and Daniel J. Gifford both of Saint John; six daughters, Elizabeth Anne Richard of Sussex, Phyllis Anne (Gilles) Morris of Beaverbrook, Shirley Marlene (William) Walsh, Frances Heather (David) MacDonald and Anne Margaret (George) Breau, all of Saint John, and Mary (Mark) Richard of Fredericton; her brother William (Norma) Byers of Sussex, sister Beatrice Evelyn Conley of Saint John; 19 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her parents William and Elizabeth Byers; husband Henry Gifford; one daughter Barbara Gifford; two grandchildren Heidi and Billy Gifford; three sisters Muriel LeBlanc, Phyllis Jones and Marjorie Seaman; five brothers, Harold Byers, Eugene Byers, Kenneth Byers, Artie Byers and Roland Byers. Resting at Castle Funeral Home, 309 Lancaster Ave. Saint John NB, E2M 2L3. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 from 7-9pm and Wednesday, November 6, 2013 2-4pm and 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday November 7, 2013 at 12:00pm from St. Rose of Lima Church. Following the service interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery. A Reception will follow at the Castle “Fallsview” Reception Center. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of donor’s choice would be greatly appreciated by the family. Online condolences can be made at www.castlefh.com