Clara Nell McGifford

Apr. 24, 1934 - Aug. 27, 2014

Clara Nell McGifford, 80, of Dayton, Nevada passed away peacefully at 11:14 pm from acute respiratory failure on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center in Carson City, Nevada surrounded by her family. Born in Grants Pass, Oregon on April 24, 1934 to Walter Houston Varner and Marjorie Nell (Jones) Varner, Clara was the oldest of their five daughters. She was a 1951 graduate of Grants Pass High School. She worked for the power company after graduation. Clara eloped with James Crothers McGifford and married on October 17, 1954 in Carson City, Nevada. As the wife of a career military man, Clara lived in different parts of the United States, including Oregon, Nevada, New York, Virginia, Florida and even in England for a time. Clara was preceded in death by her husband James and sons James Houston McGifford and William Alan McGifford; parents Walter and Marjorie Varner; and sisters Lolita Davis and Susan Burkley. She is survived by her daughter Delores Ann McGifford; sons Richard Eugene McGifford and Thomas Reid McGifford; daughter-in-law Deborah Darlene (Savell) McGifford, all of Dayton, NV; grandchildren Angela Robin Perez; Robert Ulysses McGifford; Thomas Gerald McGifford; Ryan James McGifford; Cameron James McGifford; Jasmine Nicole McGifford; Richard William McGifford; Matthew Allen McGifford; great-grandchildren LD and Colleen Newsted; sisters Judith Lynn Strain and Vicky Vannice and numerous other relatives. A woman of many talents and hobbies, Clara enjoyed ceramics, cooking, fishing, gardening, puzzles (jigsaw, crossword and cryptic quotes), reading, refinishing furniture, and most recently, watercolor painting. While in Oregon, she was an avid bowler and competed in many tournaments. She loved to collect things and would go to yard sales and auctions looking for treasures to add to her collections, particularly rhinestone jewelry and glassware. Clara took pride in her children and grandchildren and was a wonderful role-model for them. Clara called Dayton, Nevada “home” since 1989 when she moved there with her husband. The McGifford family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Carson Tahoe Regional Health Center and especially Dr. Bottenberg, her primary physician, and nurses Stacy, Tracy and Janelle for their care and compassion toward Clara while under their care. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to: The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at https://donate.nmcrs.org/page/contribute/nmcrs-donate A Celebration of Clara’s Life will be at Miners Park, Virginia City, NV (at the corner of Mill St [Six Mile Canyon Rd] and E St) on September 20, 2014 at 11:00 am with a repast to follow at the same location.