Marilyn "Midge" Mary Clifford

Dr. Marilyn “Midge” Mary Clifford, 84, of Massachusetts passed away on Sunday, December 30th, 2012 at her residence. Marilyn was born in Boston, MA on Thursday, March 29, 1928 to Thomas Clifford and Marie Hurley. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. At age 18 entered the Dominican convent in her native Massachusetts, where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology and taught for 13 years in elementary and high schools in Massachusetts, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky before moving to South Florida in 1973, when she was hired by Broward County School Board to teach at the BF James Adult Center in Fort Lauderdale. In 1976 – she left the Dominican Sisterhood with dispensation from Rome, but continued with her greatest interest: educating adolescent children. Midge’s other passion was playing the drums, and was part of a musical group called the “Dominican Desperados”. Her healing passion was hypnosis which was as relaxing to her as playing the drums. Midge studied hypnosis under Martin M. Segall of Hollywood. She was the first woman certified by the Florida Association for Professional Hypnosis and President of the Association in 1983 and 1984; and was also selected Hypnotist of the Year by the National Association to Advance Ethical Hypnosis in 1981. March 1983 she received her doctorates in education from NOVA University in Davie. Midge taught at the Starting Place for Broward County School Board where she was recognized for her ability to teach a group of 20 or more students on different education levels, some students (90 to 95%) were there for drug related problems. She strongly believed that with hypnosis you could overcome any drug dependency, smoking problems, or eating disorders; resulting with improved overall health, attitude, and renewed spirit. Midge retired from teaching in 1998, however, continued working with Melaleuca, Inc. She enjoyed many benefits of working with great friends, enabled her to meet new people, enjoyed some traveling, and finally adopted a new family. Midge always carried with her finesse, warmth, understanding, great rhythm, deep set Dominican values, and great loving spirit in her powerful 5’ 2” frame. She leaves behind her brother William “Cliff” T. Clifford and first cousin (regarded as a brother) Robert G. Prescott of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, as well as a host of other cousins and second cousins. She now joins her father and mother, Thomas and Mae Clifford; her sister Ginger; and two brothers Walter (Brother Dominic) and Reverend Thomas Clifford, OP, both of the Dominican order.

Marilyn "Midge" Mary Clifford

March 29, 1928 - December 30, 2012