WAREHAM - State Representative Susan Williams Gifford, from the 2nd Plymouth District of Carver, Middleboro, and Wareham, and House Minority Whip, passed peacefully at her home in Wareham on October 22, 2024 at the age of 64 surrounded by loved ones.

Susan was born in Berrien, Michigan on November 3, 1959 to Siegfried Piontek and Regina (Schwanke) Piontek. She was raised in St. Joseph, Michigan where she graduated from St. Joseph High School prior to graduating from Western Michigan University as a member of the Class of 1982.

Susan moved to Massachusetts in 1987 and settled down in Wareham in 1996. Susan married her husband Mark Gifford on May 27, 2000, and they were happily married for 24 years.

Susan worked for Liberty Mutual Insurance, where she filed workers’ compensation claims for victims of 9/11. She was first elected to public office in 1999 as a member of the Wareham Board of Selectmen, where she served until 2002. That year, she was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives to represent the 2nd Plymouth District consisting of Carver, Middleboro, and Wareham, where she proudly served for almost 22 years “putting people first.” Throughout her time in the legislature, she was named to many committee assignments, including her appointment as the House Minority Whip and the ranking Republican on the Joint Committee on Agriculture, as well as the Ranking Republican member of the House Committee on Steering, Policy & Scheduling.

Susan served on honorable task forces and commissions under several administrations. She was appointed by Governor Mitt Romney to serve on the Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Commission and the Massachusetts Ocean Management Task Force led by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs. She was also appointed by the Patrick Administration to serve as a member of the 1000 Great Places in Massachusetts Commission as well as the Tourism Fund Formula Commission. Susan was also proud to have served as a member of the Cranberry Revitalization Task Force and on the Massachusetts Seafood Marketing Commission Steering Committee, which both had strong ties to the economy and ecosystems of her district.

Susan is survived by her loving husband, Mark, devoted family member, Gusto (Gus), stepdaughter Kelly (Gifford) Thomas of Felton, DE, stepson Brian Gifford and his wife Jessica of Ayden, NC, stepdaughter Jillian (Gifford) Sheridan and her husband Phillip of Marana, AZ, and stepdaughter Alyssa Gifford of Norfolk, VA, along with nine wonderful grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Susan is also survived by her brother Ron Piontek and his wife Anna Mary of Cincinnati, OH, her brother Jeff Piotek and his partner Soti of St. Joseph, MI, her sister Kim Piontek of St. Joseph, MI, sister-in-law Geri Kapalka and her husband John of Wareham, and sister-in-law Melody Gifford, also of Wareham, along with many nieces and nephews and close friends.

Susan loved her community and was committed to a number of organizations in Wareham. She was a member of the Onset Bay and Buzzards Bay Village Associations and Wareham Land Trust, the Wanquinkoah Rod & Gun Club in Middleboro, and the Wareham-New Bedford Lodge of Elks # 73.

As a committed advocate, Susan was also a member of the Massachusetts Legislators Association, a proud member of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, the Republican National Committee, the Plymouth County Republican Club, the Cape Cod Republican Club, and had served as a delegate to state and national political conventions.

During her tenure, she supported tax cuts and opposed gun reform. She was a fierce advocate in the House for veterans, cranberry growers, fishermen, public safety, and fought hard for affordable housing for her district and the state of Massachusetts.

When Susan wasn’t advocating for her district and helping her constituents access government services, you could find her spending time with her husband Mark in the garden, relaxing in the pool, dining at their favorite restaurants along the South Coast, pickling their famous vegetables, or spending time with their best buddy and loyal pal, Gus.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the Boston Tavern Restaurant, 58 E. Grove Street, Middleboro, MA from 1 to 5 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rob Cunningham Foundation, 4 Gallagher Drive, Plymouth, MA 02360, to the Southcoast VNA, 200 Mill St., Fairhaven, MA 02719, or to Hospice Services of MA 10 Riverside Dr., Suite 201, Lakeville, MA 02347.

Arrangements by Chapman Funerals & Cremations – Wareham. For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com