Gloria Woodford

Gloria F. Woodford, age 90, of Erie, passed away at home, on Friday, July 29, 2016.

She was born September 9, 1925 in Anderson, SC, daughter of Harry and Bertie Burke Fine.

She graduated from Central High School in Charlotte, NC in 1943, and after graduation was employed as Secretary to the Branch Manager of Paramount Pictures, and as Secretary to the Branch Manager of RKO Pictures in their branch offices in Charlotte.

In 1945 she married Lt. Phillip Woodford, and after he returned from the Pacific, they moved to Syracuse, NY while he pursued his degree in Aeronautical Engineering at Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, she was Secretary to the Dean of the Maxwell School of Public Affairs and enrolled in history courses.

In 1950 they moved to Erie, and she was one of the first four employees of the Yates Company, and was a Director of its subsidiary, Yates Plastic Sales Company. She was an avid bridge player and held the American Contract Bridge League rank of Bronze Life Master. In 1966 she was the seventh, and youngest person in Erie to become a Life Master. She loved sports, tennis, bowling and golf, and one year won the Erie Super Senior Golf Championship. She was also a tenured member of the Kahkwa Club. She and her husband loved the theater and traveling abroad.

In addition to her beloved husband of 69 years, she was preceded in death by a sister, Marilyn “Mack” (Hugh) Wess.

She is survived by a sister, Charlotte (Richard) Surman of Bexley, OH, a sister-in-law, Martha (Carroll) Woodford of West Farmington, OH and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Westlake Funeral Home, 3801 West 26th Street, (at Powell Avenue) on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of service there at 12 noon with Reverend Robert Kantner officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Erie Humane Society or the charity of one’s choice.