Elsa Kristian Charlot Clifford

PHILLIPSTON - Elsa Kristian Charlot (Johnson) Clifford, 89, of 80 Petersham Road, Phillipston, died Saturday, July 31, 2010 at the Wachusett Manor Nursing Home in Gardner with family at her side. She was born in Greenfield on March 23, 1921, the daughter of the late John S. and the late Anna V. (Johnson) Johnson. Elsa grew up in Leyden and graduated from Greenfield High School with the class of 1939. Upon her graduation from the Hahnemann Nursing School in 1943, Elsa joined the United States Army Air Corps. She served during World War II as a General Duty Nurse and Lieutenent, stationed in Florida, Louisiana, Texas and Arizona from 1944 to 1948. Mrs. Clifford worked for the New England Medical Center in Boston from 1949 to 1950, then worked at the Athol Memorial Hospital from 1950 until her retirement in 1982. She was a resident of Phillipston for most of her life and an active member of the Phillipston Congregational Church. She was a member of the Ladies Benevolent Society, Red Hat Society, and the Hahnemann Alumni Association. Elsa loved her career as a nurse as she took pride in helping others. She enjoyed knitting and sewing with her friends, reading and gardening. Her greatest joy in life was her family. She leaves three daughters, Karen Adams and her husband Wesley of Phillipston, Judith C. Ferrari and her husband Joseph of Ashland, Loretta J. Clifford of Phillipston; one son, Lance R. Clifford of Santa Monica, CA; two sisters, Gertrude York of Florida, Signey Sund of Greenfield; one brother, Robert Johnson of Connecticut; five grandchildren, six great grandchildren; one step great grandchild and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband of forty-eight years, Vernon L. Clifford, on April 15, 2002, also by her first husband, Chief Petty Officer Robert Suhl, who died serving World War II; and by two brothers, Walter Johnson and Harold Johnson. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in the Phillipston Congregational Church, On the Common, Phillipston. Burial in the Lower Cemetery, Phillipston, will be private. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her memory to the Phillipston Congregational Church, On the Common, Phillipston, MA 01331. $(document).ready(function(){ });