MARGARET CLIFFORD

VERGENNES — With love and gratitude, we announce the peaceful passing of Margaret Catherine Clifford, known to her family and friends as Kate. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, and cherished friend, she passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the age of 102.

Born Sept. 23, 1922, in Wyandot County, Ohio, Kate lived a long life marked by strength, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her family. She was the proud and loving mother of eight children, raising them with grace, patience, and deep devotion. Married twice, Kate experienced both the joy of love and the resilience of a heart that endured. Her home was always a welcoming place, filled with warmth, laughter, and the aroma of Sunday dinners. It was where generations gathered and countless memories were made.

Known for her wit, storytelling, and quiet strength, Kate’s hands were rarely still. They held babies, baked pies, stitched clothes, and offered comfort when needed. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, family unity, and a life well-lived.

She is survived by her children: Michael Thompson, Pamela Cross, Patricia Neate, and Constance Gilbert, along with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and all those who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her two husbands, Gale Thompson and Ernest Clifford, as well as four of her children: Gale Thompson, Sharon Roberts, David Thompson, and Charles Clifford.

A celebration of Kate’s life will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., at the Victory Baptist Church in Vergennes, Vt. A reception will immediately follow at the Vergennes Legion.

She was the heart of our family, and her love lives on in all of us.◊