Find a Grave Memorial for Pat Burke Gifford 1938-2016
Pat Gifford, AKA: Patricia Burke, Welch: 78 years old of New Berlin,
N.Y. passed away on July 1, 2016 at Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester,
NY.
Patricia was born on May 25, 1938 in Deposit, NY the
daughter of Christopher and Ruth Burke. Her childhood was spent in New
Berlin, NY. She was a 1956 graduate of New Berlin Central School and a
1959 graduate of RIT in Rochester, NY, where she held the honor of being the first female to receive a printing degree.
Pat
was employed at Sears in Oneonta, NY for 10 years and at AO Fox
Memorial Hospital, Oneonta for 5 years. She was the owner and operator
of “A Sunshine Home” which catered to Alzheimer’s patients for more than
15 years. Pat became a Christian as a young adult and faithfully
attended a church wherever she lived throughout her life helping in many
ways and holding many roles within the church. She was currently a
member of the First United Methodist Church in New Berlin. Through the
years she has been a member of the DAR, the executive director of the
Unadilla Valley Railroad Society, chairman of the New Berlin Town
Planning Committee, a board member of the New Berlin Art Forum, a Girl
Scout Leader, a member of the Nifty Club
and was very active in the 60+ Club.
She shared her writing talent with many of these organizations. She
was
also noted for her generosity and hospitality. Pat turned her personal
challenges with her health into an opportunity to help others by
establishing the Ostomy Association of Oneonta, NY. This became the
Central NY Ostomy Network that reached out to individuals all across NYS
and beyond who were fraught with similar challenges.
Pat is
survived by her children: Kristina “Kitty” Behnke of Sidney and adopted
children; John Welch of Mount Vision, NY; Hezekiah Welch of New Berlin,
NY; Michael Welch of Reno, NV; and Kevin Welch of Florida; as well as
her sister: Susan Jane Webb of Towanda, PA.; grandchildren, great
grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her
parents and her brother; Christopher Burke, Jr.
A funeral
service will be held on Friday, July 8, 2016 at the First United
Methodist Church in New Berlin NY with Pastor Lyle Linder officiating.
Calling hours will be held at the church starting at 9am, a service
celebrating her life will be at 11 am. The interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery, South New Berlin.
Published on the Dakin Funeral Home website.
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