MARY MAY GAFFORD

Mary Gafford passed away at her home November 9th at the age of 85 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Mary was born January 4, 1936 to Ben Grimes and Mary Elizabeth Perfect Grimes in Paris, Texas. After graduating from the University of North Texas where she earned a Masters degree in English and Spanish, she married Frank H. Gafford, Jr in 1958. They settled in Las Vegas in 1971 where Mary taught English and they raised their two daughters. Mary was a devoted teacher who taught her students the value of reading and encouraged them to express themselves through creative writing until 2004 when she retired. Mary was a member of a wide variety of organizations including the Las Vegas Bottle Club, Coin Club and Coca Cola club based on interests she shared with her husband, who preceded her in death in 2002. As a founding member of the Southern Nevada Women's History Project (SNWHP), she combined her passion for writing with her love of history and led efforts to write and publish several compilations of biographies of women previously overlooked in Nevada's history. One lasting tribute to Mary's efforts with the SNWHP was the 2005 installation of a statue honoring Sarah Winnemucca of Nevada, a Paiute activist, into the Hall of Statues in Washington, D.C. She also participated in the sesquicentennial book celebrating Nevada Women's Legacy: 150 years of Excellence as part of Women of Diversity Productions. Mary was also a key leader of many civic organizations including the AAUW, Mesquite Club and the Pilot Club among others. She enjoyed tracing her genealogical roots which led her to discover her familial connections to the American Revolution and the Mayflower and she became an active participant in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Mayflower Society, and the Las Vegas Civil War Round Table historical discussions. As a supporter of the arts,

Mary was a member of Desert Arts of Nevada and the Symphony Guild. She was particularly proud to have been involved with the Super Summer Theatre for over 30 years and remained a board member throughout her illness. Mary is survived by her daughters Michelle Gafford and Georgette Gafford and her younger siblings Ruth Cribbs, Carolyn Sukigara and Ben Grimes.

Mary formed many wonderful relationships through her organizations and with her fellow congregants at Grace Presbyterian Church. Please join us for a Celebration of Life to be held at

Grace Presbyterian Church (1515 W. Charleston Blvd) December 4th at 1PM, reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Super

Summer Theatre (https://supersummertheatre.org/donate/) or plant a tree in her memory(https://shop.arborday.org/trees-in-memory).

Sign guestbook at obituaries.reviewjournal.com