Obituary of Alexa F. Gifford

Alexa F. Gifford age 58 of Penn Yan, New York passed away Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. She courageously fought three bouts of cancer over twenty-nine years, never missing a beat in life and taking it on with a smile. Alexa was born in Hancock, NY on January 17, 1964 to Ronald and Carol (Grosch) Faigle. She grew up in Starlight, PA and graduated from Hancock, NY High School and Roberts Wesleyan College with her BBA focused on Organizational Management. Her career began with New York State Electric and Gas in marketing. She then became president of Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance, Penn Yan. Later Alexa served as the first Executive Director of the New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua when it was founded in 2006. After her tenure at NYWCC, she worked for Young Strategies, North Carolina as a strategic planner and consultant for destinations and speaker at conferences. From there she brought her talents to Finger Lakes Premier Properties as Director of Operations. Alexa was well known for her quick wit and direct, no-nonsense honesty, always imparted with a smile. You knew when Alexa was in the room thanks to her contagious laughter. She loved everything about Christmas – the togetherness, the tree, and family. She loved to deck out the family tree with bright lights and ornaments representing special memories, travel, and family connections. She relished living the lake life, and especially enjoyed sunset boat rides. Alexa is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Mark D. Gifford, son Eric V. Gifford (Kathryn Sennett), Penn Yan, NY and daughter Sydney N. Gifford, Rochester, NY, her mother Carol A. Faigle formerly of Starlight,PA and now Penn Yan, NY. The family would also like to recognize Alexa's special bond with cousins Dale (Alice) Grosch and Dave (Patricia) Grosch who were like her siblings. Her extended family includes her father-in-law, Ronald E. Gifford of Canandaigua, NY, her special aunt Dorothy Grosch, and many more aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her father Ronald V. Faigle (2020) and infant brother Ronald C. Faigle. To honor Alexa's wishes, family and friends are invited to join the family in a Christmas-themed Celebration of Life to be held on October 16th from 1 – 4 p.m. at Climbing Bines Hop Farm & Brewery, 511 Hansen Point Rd., Penn Yan, NY. Those who would like to honor Alexa's memory may consider a donation to Pluta Cancer Center Foundation, 125 Red Creek Dr, Rochester, NY 14623 or Branchport United Methodist Church, PO Box 2, Keuka Park, NY 14478. Memories of Alexa may be shared with her family and friends at townsendwoodzinger.com