Joan D. Gifford, 85, of the 1900 block of E. Bayview Blvd., passed away October 16, 2008, in DePaul Hospital. A native of Exeter Devonshire, England, she was the daughter of the late Madeline and Col. Theodore L. Callender. She was an active member of Bayview United Church of Christ where she served as moderator on the executive board. She founded three local companies: Gifford Realty, Inc (formally Duncan & Gifford Realtors formed in 1956, now Coldwell Banker Professional, Realtors), Gifford Management Group and Gifford Insurance Associates. She also served as founding Member and President of Metro MLS (now REIN), Director of the National Association of Realtors and was a recipient of the coveted "Realtor of the Year" award of the state of Virginia. In Association with Dorcas Helfant-Browning, she was instrumental in merging the Norfolk Board of Realtors and the Virginia Beach Board of Realtors into the Tidewater Association of Realtors, which is now known as the Hampton Roads Association of Realtors and. Joan was a former Regional Governor of the Women's Council of Realtors for the National Association of Realtors and was Professional Woman of the Year for Hampton Roads in 1984. She also participated in the forming of the Five City Merger of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and became the first woman chairman of the Norfolk division. One of her most proud associations was with Old Dominion University where she was appointed to the Board of Visitors, served as Vice Rector and Chairman of the Education Foundation and was named an Honorary Alumni. In 2001, she was presented the prestigious Albert B. "Buck" Gornto, Jr. Regional Service Award from ODU. In 2007 she was conferred the degree of Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from ODU. Joan served on the Foundation Board of Norfolk State University, Town Point Club, Advisory Boards of Lee's Friends, ForKids, Downtown Republican Club of Norfolk, and was the Chair of Cenit Bank's Advisory Board for Norfolk. Her community service included participation as Board member of the Norfolk State Convention and Visitors Bureau, Norfolk Community Facilities Commission, Boy Scouts of America, Norfolk Crime Line, American Cancer Society, and Central Fidelity Banks Norfolk Advisory board and Heritage Bank. She received a Proclamation of Appreciation from City of Norfolk. She was the first female Realtor to be appointed by the Governor of Virginia as a Commissioner to the Virginia Housing Authority Board. She is survived by her husband, Charles S. Gifford; her son, Thomas (Tim) C. Gifford and wife Diana of Chesapeake, VA; her daughter, Francine G. Deir and husband Edward of Norfolk, VA; nine grandchildren, Lisa Snyder, Todd Gifford and wife Marina, Bryan Harrison, Matthew Gifford and wife Johanna, Scott Dashiell and wife Michelle, Kim Daschiell, Ed Britt and wife Shannon, Jarrod Deir and wife Susan and Daniel Deir and wife Beth; thirteen great-grandchildren; her god-daughter, Beverly Efird; as well as son-in-law, Kenny Jordan and wife Mary. She was predeceased by daughter, Diann G. Jordan. Much has been written of "Dr" Joan Gifford as a tireless leader in any endeavor she adopted. Joan instilled in her family the necessity of always giving back to the community. She was a loving, supportive wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, and will be sorely missed as The Matriarch. Something tells us Joan is up in Heaven organizing something and getting things done! The funeral service will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at Bayview United Church of Christ with Rev. Harvey Lilly and Rev. Dan Wickert officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Tidewater Drive Chapel Sunday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Lee's Friends, ("Helping People Live With Cancer"), 7400 Hampton Blvd., Norfolk, VA 23505. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.

Obituary, Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home.