Obituary of Mary P. Milford

Mary Patrick Milford, 75, of Halfmoon, formerly of Clifton Park and Glenville, peacefully entered into eternal life surrounded by her family on Thursday, February 20, 2025.

Born in Binghamton, NY on July 27, 1949 to the late Andrew G. and Theresa Banovic Patrick. Mary was proud of her Slovak heritage, learning to cook and bake traditional recipes from her mother and grandmother. She graduated from Binghamton Central High School as the class Salutatorian and SUNY Albany where she received her teaching degrees with a major in French and her Master’s Degree in Remedial Reading. Mary met her husband, Gary, on a cold windy day in March 1968 at SUNY Albany in line for the registrar’s office and were together ever since.

Mary had a long and distinguished teaching career. In 1972, Mary’s first full time teaching position was in a newly integrated school system in Georgia while Gary was stationed there serving in the US Army. Mary retired from Schenectady City School District where she had been a Middle School and High School Reading Teacher, then a Literacy Coach for over 35 years. During her time there, she was involved in many school extracurricular activities and earned the title of Teacher of the Year in 1995.

Over the past forty years, Mary was involved in many community organizations including Mother of Twins Club, Notre Dame Club of NENY, Phi Delta Kappa and PEO, serving in various leadership positions dedicated towards service and helping others obtain scholarships. In retirement, Mary and Gary were passionate for ballroom dancing while serving on the board of the Cotillion Dance Club, swinging, cha-cha and waltzing their way around the Capital District. Mary loved to travel and fulfilled a lifetime wish by traveling to her grandmother’s village in Slovakia on a European river cruise.

Beloved wife for 53 years to Gary R. Milford, devoted mother of Michelle L Milford, the twins Michael P Milford (wife Helen Milford) and Matthew H Milford (partner Skyler Parkhurst). Loving sister of Ann Smith (husband Les Smith) and Theresa Patrick, cherished grandmother to Zelie (9) and Eilis (6), also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to Calling Hours on Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065 and to her Mass of Catholic Burial on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward the Confessor Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065. The mass will be livestreamed at the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85696731599?pwd=bfMhlIa5cRu4oibMjhUUUQV2MBU93o.1

Meeting ID: 856 9673 1599
Passcode: 0565

Burial will be held at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery at the family’s convenience.

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association, in memory of Mary P. Milford.

Please feel free to view the Memorial Video (please check later when it will be avaialble) or offer your Condolences by using those tabs on this website.