Mary Ilo Clifford

Mary was born January 3, 1945, in Philadelphia, PA, to Jerry and Ruth Ashway. She grew up with older sister Shirley (deceased), younger sister Patricia and younger brother Jerry Jr. (deceased). Ruth was a homemaker while Mary’s father Jerry owned Fine Arts, a maker of China and sterling silver.

Mary grew up in Jenkintown, PA, where she loved hikes in the backyard woods and climbing trees. She was a tomboy who loved ballet. Many of her childhood stories involved her train rides (alone) to Philadelphia for ballet lessons.

The Ashway family made several trips to Puerto Rico due to Jerry’s business there, which opened Mary’s heart to travel for the rest of her life. She had wonderful trips to Martha’s Vineyard, Islamorada, San Fransisco, China, and all across Europe including favorites Chartres, France and Ireland.

After high school, Mary attended the University of Miami and met her future husband and love of her life Alfred Lee Clifford, III (Bud, deceased).

Summers during college were fun for Mary. We all cherish the stories of the Jersey Shore and her time as a groupie for The Band (not just any groupie – but one who rode the tour bus, too!). Music was an intrinsic part of Mary’s life – classical, rock, folk, Irish and, of course, Bob Dylan, to name a few.

After graduation and a year of law school for Bud, they moved to Indianapolis where Bud joined the family electrical distribution business, eventually taking over with his brother John.

On September 7, 1971, Bud and Mary welcomed their first child, Pamela Ilo Clifford, and on November 3, 1972, Alfred Lee Clifford IV was born.

Mary’s love of outdoor activity spurred an interest in, and then an obsession with running. In 1977 she won the women’s division of the inaugural Indianapolis Mini Marathon. Olympic champion Frank Shorter won the men’s division, and their photos shared the cover of the Indianapolis Star.

As her children advanced in school, she embarked on her career. She hit her stride in the late 1980s selling lingerie for the French company Valmont. With clients in four states, she became a road warrior and famously spent 24 hours stuck at a truck stop gas station due to a blizzard on a drive home from Chicago.

Mary became a grandmother in 2001 with the birth of Benjamin Clifford. Three other grandchildren – Nicholas Clifford, Avery Moss and Alex Moss – would follow. They each became among the most treasured highlights of her life.

Mary was not a specifically religious person, but she was very spiritual and open to many beliefs. She explored that spirituality by reading books about Buddhism and Christianity, practicing yoga and attending various church services. She co-led the development of the Labyrinth program at St. Luke’s UMC.

One of Mary’s highlights in her retirement years was running the “NFL Dynasty” betting pool for family and friends. She cherished the conversations each week with all the participants giving her their “picks.” She wasn’t a true bookie – but she was our “Bookie.”

Mary passed away in the company of Pam, Lee and daughter-in-law LeeAnn in the early morning of February 17, 2024.