Jean Udall Gifford, 86, of Westport, MA passed away peacefully on Monday, August 24, 2026 at Charlton Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Richard A. Gifford.
Jean was born in New Rochelle, NY daughter of the late Ralph O. and Emily E. (Rough) Udall and had been a longtime resident of Westport, MA. As a child, her family summered in Middletown, RI before permanently moving there. She was a graduate of Rogers High School in Newport, RI and attended Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School. After a few different secretarial jobs, she settled down at Channel 6 in New Bedford where she proudly ran some of the first computers that were used in TV production. However, her most prominent position was always “Mom” and “Nana.”
A lifelong lover of animals, Jean was always so passionate about nature. She took care of horses for most of her life as well as any dogs, cats, or birds that came her way. She loved spending time on the water, riding horses on the beach, sailing, and exploring the Westport River. Jean loved reading, the Red Sox, playing Mahjong, and spending time with her family and friends.
Jean was admired and adored by so many and leaves a legacy of love, wisdom, and fierce New England pride behind.
Survivors include her 5 children: John R. Gifford and his wife Bonny of Westport, Ann Gifford Trapp of Warren, RI, Holly E. LeBelle of Westport, Bruce U. Gifford and his wife Sarah of Westport, and Craig M. Gifford and his wife Michelle of Dartmouth; her beloved sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Gilpin of PA; 10 grandchildren: Seth Gifford and his wife Meredith, Andrew "AJ" Gifford and his late wife Roxanne, Sofie Trapp, Téa LeBelle DaSilva and her husband Tobey & Willem LeBelle, Nathaniel, Ethan, & Kathryn Gifford, Carter & Bradley Gifford; 2 great grandchildren: Eloise & Josephine Gifford; along with many nieces and nephews.
Graveside service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, August 29, 2026 at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport at 11:00 am. A luncheon will follow at Bittersweet Farm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the:
Westport River/Watershed Alliance:
https://www.westportwatershed.org/donate
Mass Audubon Society:
https://www.massaudubon.org/
Schooner Ernestina:
https://www.ernestina.org/support/