Eighth Generation

174. Mary Antonia Frances DEJACO Clifford¹⁸⁷ was born on June 13, 1922 in Newport, Kentucky at 1018 Liberty Street. She was baptized on June 18, 1922 in St. Stephen Catholic Church in Newport, Kentucky. She was baptized by Fr. Francis DeJaco. Her godparents were Anthony DeJaco and Marie Schucter. She was educated at Saint Stephen grammar school between 1928 and 1936 in Newport, Campbell County, Kentucky.

Mary expressed an interest in art even at an early age. She was a winner of the Gavel Award in 1936 with her essay entitled "My Ambition". She wrote: "I do not know how long I shall live; nevertheless I do know that a life filled with wholesome, uplifting goodness will be priceless to me. To be successful, I suppose one must adopt a career according to one's talents. Sports, movies, and art are three things in life I like. To make a profession of sports? No; I suppose not. I wouldn't have a chance at that. I'll just cross out sports. Movies? Oh, I do love a good movie. Now let me think, what are the requirements of a good actress. Some say beauty; others say money. Well, with all the different tales, I know I would have to do a lot of polishing up on elocution. On second thought, their hours of work would interfere with my religious duties. My salvation means more to me than all careers put together. Two things are crossed out. Art is my last remaining desire. Yes, you do seem to fill all requirements. The different moods of each person can be portrayed by the pencil and brush. All my joys, sorrows, or little crosses could come to life on the canvas. I can not think of anything more beautiful than a gorgeous sunset. The sky, hills, and trees seem to meet in mutual understanding. God in all His glory seems to shine through a sunset. An Artist! Yes, at last I have found my ambition." Mary DeJaco - Grade 8, St. Stephen School. Mary pursued painting, especially in oils, over the years as a hobby. She specializes in landscape scenes which she often draws from photographs taken during travel vacations with her husband, Jim.

Mary attended Our Lady of Divine Providence Academy. Although she didn't complete her high school education in the 1940's, Mary Clifford later acquired her General Educational Development (GED) diploma through the Boone County Educational System. At the GED testing administered at Thomas More College, she placed 54th out of the 100 successful applicants.

She was confirmed on May 27, 1934 in St. Stephen Catholic Church in Newport, Kentucky.

She died on May 14, 2003. From her obituary in the Kentucky Post: Mary A. Clifford, 80, of Hebron, died at 9:30 A.M. Wednesday at Northern Kentucky Care and Rehabilitation Center, Highland Heights. She was a homemaker and a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Burlington, and Commissar to the Holy Land. Her husband, James L. Clifford, died in 1999. Survivors include a nephew, Charles Coleman of Alexandria, and a niece, Marian Vanderpool of Fort Thomas. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:30 A.M. Friday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 A.M. Friday at Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Hebron. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery, Fort Thomas. Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 5876 Veterans Way, Burlington, Ky. 41005.

Mary Antonia Frances DEJACO Clifford and James Leslie CLIFFORD Jr. were married on September 2, 1943 in Newport, Kentucky at St. Stephen Catholic Church. Father Martin R. Delaney was the celebrant of the mass. Lorraine Miller and Lorraine Thiem witnessed the wedding.
James Leslie CLIFFORD Jr. (son of James L. CLIFFORD and Susan BALL) was born on December 20, 1922 in Brush Creek, Kentucky.

He served in the military between 1943 and 1946 in the United States Army. He attained the rank of Sergeant during his tour of duty. He served state-side in Washington, Louisiana, and Florida. He served overseas during World War II in Northern France - the Ardennes, and in the Rhineland. He was awarded four bronze stars.

He died on February 12, 1999 in Florence, Kentucky at Saint Luke (West) Hospital. From his obituary in the Kentucky Post: James L. Clifford, 76, of Hebron, died Friday at St Luke Hospital West in Florence. He was a retired truck driver for W. R. Grace Co., Wilder, and an Army veteran of World War II. He also was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Burlington, VFW Post No. 8020 in Wilder, Local 100 Teamsters, retired teamster and the Bob White Club in Claryville. Survivors include his wife, Mary A. Clifford. Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:30 A.M. Tuesday at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Burlington. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 A.M. Tuesday at Middendorf-Bullock Funeral Home, Hebron. Burial will be in St. Stephen Cemetery, Fort Thomas. Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 5876 Veterans Way, Burlington, KY 41005.