Blanche B. Clifford

Blanche B. Clifford, 92, formerly of Meadville and a resident of Rolling Fields, Conneautville, since July 1998, died Friday, February 26, 1999, at her residence, following a period of declining health.

She was born in Wayne Township, February 11, 1907, a daughter of Charles R. and Alethea Houtz Bell.  She married John B. Hovis, August 11, 1928.  He preceded her in death.  She subsequently married William E. Clifford, July 31, 1945.  He preceded her in death October 3, 1989.

She retired in 1969 as a school teacher.  She taught for 38 years, 37 of which were in the Cochranton Area Schools and one year in Lawrence County.  She graduated from Cochranton High School and received her bachelor of science degree from Edinboro Teachers College.

She was a life member of the Pennsylvania Retired Teachers Assoc., a member of the Crawford County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Assoc. of School Retirees, and a member of the National Retired Teachers Assoc.  She was a charter member of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Crawford County, an international honor society for teachers.

She was a member of St. Paul's United Church of Christ for over 50 years.  She had previously been a Sunday school teacher and a Bible school instructor at the Cochranton United Presbyterian Church.

She was a member of the Meadville Women's Club, a member of the Ladies Advisory Committee, and a volunteer at the former Meadville City Hospital.  She was a member of the American Legion Post No. 111 Auxiliary, and a member of the national and local American Assoc. of Retired Persons.

Survivors include two sons, Robert E. Hovis of Butler and Charles D. Hovis of Meadville; a step-daughter, Mrs. Alvin (Marion) DeHoff of Kennet Square; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two step-grandgrandchildren; and a nephew and a niece.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth L. Bell, a grandson and a great-grandson.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.