Glenda Ann Alford

Private Services and interment will be at the family’s convenience. If you wish to remember Glenda, please consider a contribution to the Yates County Humane Society in her name, as Glenda so loved her dogs and all animals.

Glenda was born to William and Anna Harris on June 30, 1936. She was a proud graduate of Penn Yan Academy Class of '55 and married the love of her life, Richard, in 1958. Their adventures took them and their children to amazing places across the country and to Japan, Canada, and the Caribbean. Glenda also enjoyed seeing her family in Sweden as she retraced her Johnson family legacy with her cousins and her children.

Glenda’s first job was as an operator for the phone company in Penn Yan and she enjoyed telling people about her experiences and making them laugh. She also had several positions with the Yates County Sheriff’s Department over the years and later, side by side with her husband, as a court attendant. She was highly respected and regarded by the judges, attorneys and deputies. She was a lifelong member of the Dresden Eastern Star and a member of the Methodist Church. She was deeply involved in her children’s lives from Cub Scouts to Girl Scouts to cheering them on in field hockey, ice hockey and lacrosse. She loved her family deeply and taught her children the most important things are to be kind, love each other and always laugh. She loved camping, snowmobiling, playing cribbage and bingo and leaves behind friends in both Penn Yan and Ranch Mobile in Clearwater. Glenda had an amazing sense of humor and will be remembered for the joy and smiles she brought to all that knew her.

Glenda is survived by her three children, Linda (Michael) Lyding, Donald (Joe Marino) Alford, Vicki (Jeffrey) Matthews. She had blessings and laughter from her grandchildren; Christopher Matthews, Wendy Hallenbeck and Michael (Keiffer Jensen) Matthews and her four great grandchildren; Adysen, Jaelyn, Alex and Leah, who all loved their Amma. Dear to her heart were her niece and nephews, Lisa Janicki, William Harris and Patrick Harris and her best friend too, her little Coco.

Glenda was predeceased by her husband Richard, her parents, William and Anna Harris, her in-laws Paul and Dorothy Alford, and her brother, William Harris.

The family wishes to thank her doctors and entire care team at Finger Lakes Health Soldiers and Sailors Hospital, especially Wendy Hill and JoAnne. Interlakes Oncology and Hematology, Dr Dirk Bernold and his entire caring team. Geneva General ICU team including Megan, Madi and Brittany whose gentle care and advocacy allowed Glenda a peaceful journey to join her angels.

“And he will raise you up on eagles wings bear you in the breath of dawn. Make you shine like the sun and hold you in the palm of his hand”