Edna M. Stafford

A widely known Meadville social worker died suddenly Saturday evening at City Hospital at the age of 88.

She was Miss Edna M. Stafford, who served for 17 years as executive secretary of Associated Charities of Meadville.  She was cited for her humanitarian work in two Tribune editorials in 1953 and 1955.

Miss Stafford received the Meadville Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds award in 1953, honoring her for a job well done with Associated Charities and earlier as a public health nurse with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Miss Stafford, a graduate of City Hospital School of Nursing, was ordered by the state Health Department to set up an emergency hospital in Meadville to care for influenza victims during the flu epidemic in 1918.  She served as a public health nurse for 15 years.

She was a charter member of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Meadville and Meadville Woman's Club, and a member of the board of directors of Associated Charities, Senior Citizens Club, Crippled Children's Society and Christ Church, Episcopal.

Miss Stafford was born in Meadville, October 29, 1880, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Buckley Stafford.

Surviving are a lifelong friend, Miss Winifred Minneley, with whom she lived with and twelve nieces and nephews.  Four sisters and two brothers died previously.

Services were held at Waid Funeral Home.

Interment was in Greendale Cemetery.