Lillian A. (Shahum) Clifford

Lillian "Lilly" (Shahum) Clifford, 71, of Sugarloaf, passed away Monday afternoon, June 24, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest in Allentown, following a brief illness.

Born in Scranton, June 27, 1952, she was the daughter of the late Paul Joseph and Nellie (Artabane) Shahum and spent the past 41 years in Sugarloaf, after moving from Scranton.

Surviving are her loving husband and high school, sweetheart of 51 years, Joseph P. Clifford, to whom she was married on May 5, 1973; two children, Paul J. Clifford and wife Jenne Boyle, State College; and Amy Cartwright and husband Adam, Sugarloaf; five grandchildren, Aidan Clifford and partner K.C., Avery Clifford, and Abigail Clifford; all of State College; and Ashtyn Grace Cartwright and Christopher Aziz Cartwright; both of Sugarloaf; two sisters, Rose Ludgate and husband Paul, Somers Point, NJ; and Marianne Gallagher and husband Frank, Scranton; brother-in-law, Rick Clifford, and wife Michele, Scranton; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

She was a very devoted and loving wife, mother, nanny, sister, and friend.  Lilly was very active with her children and grandchildren.  Her family was her life, and they filled her heart with love and joy.  Lilly was a very strong, determined person and she found her strength in her family and friends, they meant the world to her. Family get-togethers, whether it be on vacation at OBX, at Penn State Games, holidays or being with her friends was her life.  She had a heart bigger than life and made room for each person who crossed her path on life's journey.

Lilly graduated from West Scranton High School, class of 1970.  She also attended Penn State Hazleton and the University of Scranton.  Lilly was employed as an Administrative Assistant by the Scranton School District.  While raising her family she was employed by Dr. Mark Dinner, and the Edmund James Nursery.

Lilly was a member of St. John Bosco Parish, Sugarloaf, and a lifetime member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Sodality of St. Ann's Maronite Church, Scranton.  She was also a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association, Hazleton Area and Silver Streak Wrestling, Valley West Baseball, and Valley Chief's booster clubs, the CVCO Board, and worked on many of the Valley Day celebrations.  In 2016 she received an award from Lehigh Valley Wellness Center in Hazleton, of which she was very proud.  She had a passion for gardening, decorating, and floral arrangements.

She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her beloved son, Christopher J. Clifford, and a sister, Arlene Shahum.

Her funeral will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024, at 10 AM from Harman Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc. (East), 669 W. Butler Drive, Drums.  Interment will follow in Conyngham Union Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday afternoon, from 5 PM to 8 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to the Chris Clifford Scholarship Fund, 118 Lakeview Trail, Sugarloaf, Pa 18249. Online condolences can be entered, and more information is available at www.harmanfuneral.com.

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