LEWISTON – Cynthia Searles Clifford, 84, wife, mother, and grandmother of Lewiston, died peacefully on Jan. 29, 2019, with her family at her side following a six-month battle with lung cancer. Her fight was marked with dignity, love, good humor, and great courage.
Cynthia was born Nov. 17, 1934, to Paul and Francise (Colby) Searles in Bangor, and was raised by her stepmother, Agnes Griffin Searles. She graduated from Bangor High School in 1954, the University of Maine at Orono in 1958, and received a master’s degree in social work from Boston College in 1964.
Cynthia married William Clifford on August 28, 1965, and together they had three children, Paul Clifford of Portland, Connie Clifford (Scott Burrill) of Freeport, and Adam Clifford (Wendy) of Bristol, R.I. Another addition to the family, Jim Plante, arrived at Benson Street in 1982. Cynthia was a wonderful, loving mother who attended a multitude of sporting events and activities and encouraged her children through life’s many milestones. Cynthia was passionate about everything she did, including her work outside the home, which started in the 1940s as the first girl to deliver newspapers in Bangor. As an adult, she was a dedicated social worker for the State of Maine and for Pathways School and spent the latter half of her life working as a court mediator in Androscoggin County.
Cynthia had a gift for making friends and maintained relationships that spanned decades. And while she had many wonderful friends, two of them were very special: Deborah Isaacson, her partner in antique buying and selling, who died in 1993, and Lois Wagner, a very dear friend and neighbor, in Lewiston.
Cynthia was a fabulous gardener, making her the envy of many neighbors, and a fierce competitor/cooperator with her friend, Lois. She was also an avid bridge player, having attained the status of Life Master. She commented frequently how sorry she was to leave behind so many wonderful friends she had made through her bridge circle.
She is survived by her husband of 53 plus years, two brothers Richard Searles (Joan) of Old Orchard Beach, and David Searles (Mary) of Owensboro, Ky., and two sisters Jane Searles of Waterville (Peter Gilbert), and Kathy Searles Devine (Bob) of Falmouth; her three children; her grandchildren Willa, Elias, William, and Tyler; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Condolences and a video tribute may be found online at www.Albert-Burpee.com.
A celebration of life for Cynthia will be held at the Albert & Burpee Funeral Home, 253 Pine St., Lewiston, ME, 04240, on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Condolences and a video tribute may be found online at www.Albert-Burpee.com.
Donations maybe be made in her memory to:
Trinity Jubilee Center
247 Bates St.
Lewiston, ME 04240
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