STANDISH – D. Marie Clifford, a retired teacher who was active in her church and community, died on Wednesday. She was 88.
Mrs. Clifford taught in schools in School Administrative District 6, which covers Buxton, Hollis, Limington, Standish and Frye Island. She joined the school district in 1958, teaching at Johnson Elementary School in Standish.
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She also taught at Hollis Consolidated School and Buxton Center School. She retired from Steep Falls Elementary School in Standish in 1982.
Her daughter, Glenna Jamison of Standish, said Friday that Mrs. Clifford taught sixth grade for most of her career.
She described her mother’s teaching style as strict and regimented, and said that kids didn’t exactly jump at the chance to be in her class.
“She had a reputation for being a strict teacher,” Jamison said. “I didn’t have her as a teacher. Kids really don’t like strict teachers, you know.”
Jamison said her mother was also the kind of teacher who put in long hours preparing for her classes and working after school with students who needed extra help.
“She loved teaching,” Jamison said. “If a child had trouble, she tried to help.”
Mrs. Clifford graduated from Aroostook State Normal School in 1943 and taught for a year in Caribou, where she grew up. She put her career on hold when she married Hollis Clifford in 1944. The couple had two children. In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Clifford leaves a son, Loren Clifford of Warner-Robins, Ga.
The family moved to the Standish area in 1955. Later, Mrs. Clifford received a degree from Gorham State Teachers College.
Jamison talked Friday about the love, encouragement and support her mother showed her. She remembered going to teachers’ conventions as a kid, then shopping with her mother.
Jamison said her mother played an important part in her decision to become a teacher. Jamison taught at schools in Standish for 30 years.
“She was a wonderful mother,” she said. “She was always there to listen to us. She had such a calm way about her.”
Mrs. Clifford was a member of Buxton United Methodist Church and its women’s group. She was also a member of the Grandiflora Garden Club of Standish and Standish Senior Citizens.
A couple of years ago, Mrs. Clifford moved to Wayside Gardens at Springbrook Center, an assisted living facility in Westbrook. She enjoyed participating in the center’s music programs.
About eight days ago, Mrs. Clifford was taken to Mercy Hospital in Portland. Her daughter said she had a variety of health problems. She was supposed to return to Springbrook the day she died.
“She fell asleep Wednesday morning and she never woke up,” her daughter said. “I’m very sad. She was a wonderful mother … I will try to pass on the love to my children and grandchildren that my mother passed on to me.”
Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:
mcreamer@pressherald.com
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