Marilyn Gifford Obituary

Even though it´s been a year, I still can´t believe that Marilyn is gone.
When I worked EMS in the Springs before going to medical school, I feared her. She and Jean Abbott wrote the original prehospital protocols for initially their crews in Boulder and then Colorado Springs. It was a tremendous step forward to have standing protocols so paramedics didn´t have to wait for permission to perform life saving procedures.
I still have a copy of those in a little loose leaf notebook:).
When I came back home as a newly minted Emergency Physician, she hired me for my dream job. I owe her many thanks for that job and for creating an outstanding team.
She was the best boss I´ve ever had, a wonderful mentor and colleague. I always knew she had my back.
Her family was her joy. She talked about all of you with such love!
I share in your sorrow at her loss and in the tremendous blessing of having her in our lives.

I met Marilyn at Brookdale and she quickly became one of my favorite people to work with. She was a wonderfully honest, strong, and true woman which made it so easy to feel close to her. She will be so missed.

May you rest in peace. Thank you for your service

My Dad, Jack Mullen also worked security at the ER in Memorial Hospital in the 80's and 90's . He always spoke so highly of Dr Gifford. She presented him with an award for his excellent work in the Security Dept and it hung in his Office til he died. He was so proud of that award and had so much respect for Dr Gifford. What a great legacy she left for Memorial Hospital. My thoughts and prayers are to her family for such a huge loss. Rest well in Heaven Dr Gifford, you were much loved and respected!

We will forever be grateful for all that Dr. Gifford did for us and the community. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.

Lynn is my cousin. Her father was my mom's oldest brother. Lynn being the oldest in her family and I the youngest in mine. I didn't know her extremely well because there is 19 years between us! But I was always impressed with her energy and positive attitude. We didn't see much of each other over the years but when we did she was very genuine! She was definitely a family favorite! We will all miss her! I'm thinking of her boy's and family may God Bless you all! Sincerely Don Robinson.

We had our EMD certification with the Colorado Springs E-911, Fire and Police under Dr. Gifford. I was a witness first hand to the miraculous because of our extensive training. I was honored to recieve a CPR Save Award on an overdose while working a 9-1-1 call from Dr. Gifford. Such an amazing team of First Responders I worked with in the 1990's under her. Blessings to your family Dr. Gifford. Your name is forever etched on my heart.

My husband Billy Bell worked in the ER at Memorial with Dr. Gifford. I am writing this on his behalf, because he passed September 2023. Billy always spoke very highly of Dr. Gifford and he would be very sad to hear of her passing. Dr. Gifford was instrumental in presenting Billy with a plague for his service in the ER and he was very proud of that.The plague was on the wall in the ER section until he left the hospital. Dr. Gifford rest in peace along with Billy. Well done!!

What an amazing pleasure, and gift, it was to work with Dr. Gifford at Memorial Hospital. A true pioneer and leader in her field. As others who knew her would say, Marilyn could be stern at times. But it was this what made me, and so many others, inspired to rise up and face the challenges of emergency medicine. Quite simply, she defined what we all should do: help each other and do it with loving care, sympathy, and grace. 1000's of people's lives were forever changed by Dr. Gifford, including mine, and I still cherish the life lessons and understandings about things she gave and instilled in me.

I was her CNA. It was an absolute honor working with Dr. Gifford. She will truly be missed

There are so many of us alive today to honor Dr. Gifford's life because of her work at Memorial. Each of us has the opportunity to preserve and extend others' lives through our actions. Dr. Gifford honestly lives in so many of us.

Dr. Gifford was a true role model. She put her license on the line for many young, crazy paramedics. She was tough and fair. I was honored to work for her both as a street medic and in the EMS office. The opportunity she provided for me to branch into EMS education and quality assurance roles has provided me a lifetime of opportunies that I would not have had without her trust in me. I have more fond memories than I can possibly share. She took care of my mother and my father in the ER when they were both in terminal condition. Thank you, Marilyn for giving us all so much! May her family and friends find comfort and peace and wonderful memories!

I first met Marilyn in 1996 , before coming to the Central ER. Working in a volunteer Fire Department, Marilyn paved the way for the small EMS Departments, to be able to get our training we needed , we were able to have providers come out and do our continuing education. She was our Medical Director for many years. I was blessed to have her as a friend, may her family find comfort during these difficult days ahead.

Dr. Gifford, it was truly such a honor being able to work with you for many years in the ER at Memorial. You were a force to be reckoned with. Someone we could all look up to, a mentor to many and an amazing physician. May you forever rest in paradise. My thoughts go out to your family.

Not a shift went by without Dr. Gifford asking how I or my family was doing. She treated everyone like family. I enjoyed working with her through the thick and thin of the busiest ER in the state. Dr. Gifford would always ask if everyone was okay after the devastating loss of a patient. She genuinely cared! Her many accomplishments in the prehospital realm and in emergency medicine had one goal, to better the community.

To her sons Eric and Brian, your mother was extremely proud of your accomplishments. She spoke very highly of you. To her Grandchildren, Grandma Lynn´s face would light up when mentioning each and everyone of you. To the entire family my condolences. I hope your painful loss will ease and be replaced by incredible memories. Dr. Gifford was a pioneering woman, filled with much grit and fortitude!

Marilyn was a two time Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, The Nations EMS Certification whose responsibility was to protect the public by assuring competency of our nations Paramedics and EMTs. It was a voluntary role which involved National leadership and sacrifice. She was my friend and advisor who was always available to help lead our agency. We had many wonderful times together as a Board and she has friends across America who enjoyed her company as a colleague. America is a better country due to her work which directly and indirectly saved millions of lives. She will be missed both for her personality, character and life´s mission. Goodbye my friend. Until we meet in heaven

Dr. Gifford was instrumental in making what the EMS system in Colorado Springs is today. A true pioneer in emergency medicine, her legacy as a great physician advisor and champion to all the EMT’s and Paramedics she oversaw will always be remembered.
Mark Watkins

Thank you for letting us share in your mother's life. You are a wonderful family and I wish you all peace during this difficult time.

Marilyn was a true supporter of EMS in every way possible! As well as her Involvement in countless EMS organizations, she was also stockholder, advisor, and contributor in a private business (EMSA, Emergency Medical Services Alliance) started by Marilyn and several other Colorado EMS providers. Her contributions to EMSA were exceptional. She will be sorely missed!