Longtime Wareham State Rep Susan Williams Gifford Suddenly Passes Away

WAREHAM (WBSM) — State Representative Susan Williams Gifford, who had been representing Wareham, Middleboro and Carver in the 2nd Plymouth District for over 20 years, has passed away.

Her Facebook page posted the announcement this morning that Gifford had passed away suddenly from cancer at the age of 64. She died peacefully at her home in Wareham surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, October 22, the announcement read.

Gifford was a Republican who was repeatedly re-elected by the people of the 2nd Plymouth District by following her motto of “putting people first,” and was known for her dedication to her constituents.

“Representative Gifford was a strong advocate for her district, her community and her constituents. I am grateful for her friendship, and the more than two decades of service she provided to the 2nd Plymouth District and beyond,” said former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. “My heart goes out to her family and friends as we mourn the loss of an incredible advocate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

“Susan reminded us all what it truly means to serve the people of the Commonwealth. The ripple effect of her loss will be felt throughout the communities that she served,” said former Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Our hearts go out to her husband Mark and her family as we mourn her loss.”

Gifford was first elected to the state legislature in 2003. She was currently serving as the Assistant Minority Whip and was the ranking Republican member of the House Committee on Steering, Policy and Scheduling and on the Joint Committee on Agriculture, among other committee assignments.

She had also been appointed to special commissions by both Republican governors such as Mitt Romney and Democratic governor Deval Patrick.

Even as she worked at the State House, Gifford remained 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. She was also a member of the Wanquinkoah Rod & Gun Club in Middleboro.

Gifford was also a member of the Massachusetts Legislators Association, the Women’s Legislative Caucus, the Republican National Committee, the Plymouth County Republican Club, the Cape Cod Republican Club, the Wareham Republican Town Committee, and had served as a delegate to state and national political conventions, according to her website.

Gifford lost the Republican primary back in September to challenger John Gaskey, who was not going to face a Democratic challenger until Sarah Hewins launched a write-in campaign to oppose him.