Mary Elizabeth (Anderson) Gifford was born on August 22, 1924, in Craig, Colorado and went to heaven on January 9, 2025, in Colville Washington. In the summer of 1935, she and her parents, Carl and Ione (Haughey) Anderson, along with her nine siblings, moved to Washington and settled in a valley known as Hungry Hollow, east of Gifford. Mary graduated in 1943 from Columbia School in Hunters and the day after graduation, she began working at Glena Field and eventually Geiger Field, in Spokane, to help with the war effort. She, and others like her soon became known as "Rosie the Riveters." She married Roland David Gifford on May 5, 1944. As well as her contribution to the war efforts, she also worked for a Spokane seed company sorting flower seeds. Moving to Colville, she worked at a nursing home while Roland drove delivery truck. They eventually moved to Gifford, which was founded by Roland's grandfather, James. There, Mary accepted the position of Postmaster and ran the office from the front porch of her home for the next 34 years. At one time she was among only 14 Postmasters in the United States whose last name was the same as the town they worked in. It was here that she and Roland raised their two children, Marlene and Ron. It was also here that her reputation as a positive, friendly, caring person began to grow. Over the years she became one of the best-known residents living along Highway 25 and over the years came to the aid of countless people of the area as well as to many who were passing through. She had a love for life and people that was exceptional. Involved in the Stranger Creek Grange, Daisy Gifford Homemakers, her church and the children's Awana program, Enterprise Book Club, the Hunters Community Fair as well as a supporter of Evergreen and Columbia Schools, Mary truly loved her community. This love was acknowledged when she and longtime area resident, Bertha Pry, were chosen as Grand Marshalls of the Hunters Fair parade. In later years she became involved in the Colville community having moved there in March of 2009. She was a faithful member of the Colville chapter of the WOW club. Mary loved antiques, baking, flowers, collecting chicken Nic knacks, and especially enjoyed history. Her vast knowledge of the area will be greatly missed.

Her 100th birthday party held last year where she was honored by many of her family and the community and was featured in the Colville paper with a photo and article. Family was very important to her and for 50 years, she loved to attend the annual Anderson-Pry reunion held each summer.

Mary was proceeded in death by her husband, Roland, brothers, Grant, Forrest, Ben, Dan, Bob, Ray, Dick, sister Lillie, daughter in law Vicki, son in law Mike Brittain and grandson Richard. She is survived by her daughter Marlene, son Ron and wife Caprice, brother Albert, grandchildren Marlena, Molly, Matthew, Michelle, Maryann and their families as well as many great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Mary's life and her "homegoing" will be held at 1 pm on May 17th at Cedonia Community Church located three and one-half miles north of Hunters, on Hwy 25. A dessert reception will follow.