Former Executive Head Of Charities Group Dies:

A widely known Meadville social worker died suddenly at 8:30 Saturday evening at City hospital at the age of 88.

She was Miss Edna M. Stafford, who served for 17 years as executive secretary of Associated Charities of Meadville. She was cited for her humanitarian work in two Tribune editorials in 1953 and 1955.

Miss Stafford recived the Meadville Exchange Club Book of Golden Deeds awards in 1953, honoring her for a job well done with Associated Charities and earlier as a public health nurse with the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Miss Stafford, a graduate of City Hospital School of Nursing, was ordered by the State Health Department to set up an emergency hospital in Meadville to care for influenza victims during a flu epidemic in 1918. She served as a public health nurse for 15 years.
She was a charter member of the Business and Professional Woman's Club of Meadville and Meadville Women's Club, and a member of the board of directors of Associates Charities, Senior Citizen Club, Crippled Children's Society and Christ Church, Episcopal.

Miss Stafford was born in Meadville Oct. 20, 1880, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Buckley Stafford.

Surviving are a life long friend, Miss Winifred Minneley, with whom she lived at 314 N. Main St. and 12 nieces and nephews: Miss Elizabeth Swarts, Mrs. Gaylon Clark, Mrs. Gertrude Butler and Robert and Myron Stafford, all of Meadville; William Swarts, New York City; Mrs. Arthur Sullivan, Beaver; Mrs. Bertha Wedikin, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Mrs. John Blair, Erie; and Harold, Charles and Thomas Stebbins, all of Ohio. Four sisters and two brothers died previously

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Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the Waid Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Church Episcopal, with Rev. Fr. Robert H. Moore, rector, officiating. Interment will be at Greendale Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Heart Fund.

Meadville Tribune Mar 3, 1969, p. 1, col. 6 (Photo with the story)

Submitted by Jeff Wood