Mary "Ruth" Paxton Gifford

Mary “Ruth” Mayne Paxton Gifford, 92, of Washington, died June 20, 2013, in her residence. She was born May 15, 1921, in Washington, a daughter of Clyde Mayne and Hazel Loughman Mayne. Mrs. Gifford worked at her father’s Clover Farm Grocery Store for 30 years, Duncan Miller Glass Company, Jeanie’s Print Shop for 10 years and Gospel Book Store for 10 years. A devout Christian and very giving person, she was a member of Washington Alliance Church. Mrs. Gifford loved reading. Her first husband, Lloyd G. Paxton, died in 1990. On July 31, 1992, she married Rev. Charles A. Gifford, who died January 31, 2005. Surviving are a daughter, Hazel L. Contorakes of Washington; a sister, Dorothy M. Kraushaar of Dallas, Texas; a grandson, Joseph Michael (Kim) Selva; two great-grandchildren, Mariah Ann Selva and Michael Melnyk; a great-great grandchild, Katie Ahleeyah; and her caregivers, Linda Morris and Jody Marshman. Deceased are a son, Ronald S. Paxton; a grandchild, David Paul Jones; and two sisters, Irene Mayne and Helen Gertrude Bales. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday, in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 24th, with Rev. James Newman officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Gardens, McMurray. Memorial contributions may be made to Three Rivers Hospice Patient Care Fund, 1195 Jacks Run Road, North Versailles, PA 15137; or to Great Commission Fund, Washington Alliance Church, 246 Sanitarium Road, Washington, PA 15301.