Polly Jean (Gerrish) Walker
May 14, 1926 — December 31, 2011
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Celebration of Life
Polly Jean (Gerrish) Walker
Polly Jean was born on May 14, 1926 in Brookline, one of two children of the late John J. and Alice V. (Grant) Gerrish. She was raised in the Greenwood section of Wakefield and graduated from Wakefield High School, Class of 1944.She continued her education at Forsythe Dental School in Boston where she studied to become a dental hygienist. On June 9, 1951, she married the love of her life and cherished partner for 60 years, N. Kennard Walker. They began their life together in Wakefield and moved to Melrose in 1955 to raise their family of three children.
Active in her community, Polly was a volunteer at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, a member of Kappa Delta Psi and the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church.For many years, she worked as a dental hygienist at Dr. Frederick Trevor's office in Melrose.After moving to Dover, New Hampshire in 1986, she became a volunteer at Wentworth Douglass Hospital and a member of First Parish Congregational Church.She was a very active member of DAR of NH, and the Mayflower Society of NH.Polly and Ken enjoyed their annual spring vacation to Seawatch on Ft. Myers Beach in Florida and loved spending summers at their home on Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham, NH.They returned to Massachusetts 4 years ago to Wakefield where they could be closer to their loving family.
Polly with her husband Ken were loyal followers of New England folk music.For many years, they travelled throughout New England to listen to their favorite groups and singers.
Polly, as the matriarch of her family, led by example.She was a great listener who also had the ability to connect with family and friends, young and old.She was the best friend to her husband, Ken, set the bar incredibly high as a mother to her 3 children, and was an exceptional role model to her 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.Always full of life and loving every minute she had with family and friends, she renewed her vows and remarried her best friend on their 50th wedding anniversary on June 10th, 2001.Polly will be forever missed, but her faithful, loving and inspiring life will be her legacyeverything was thumbs up.
Polly was the beloved wife of N. Kennard Walker with whom she shared over 60 years of blissful marriage.Devoted mother of Diane Jean Bucknill of Wakefield, Doug and Dee Walker of Watchung, NJ, and Donna and Bud Dineen of Saugus.Dear sister of the late Robert G. Gerrish.Cherished grandmother of LyneMarie Carvill and her husband Mike of Worcester, David Bucknill and his wife Margaret of Newbury, Chris Dineen of Peabody, Jenn Kohr and her husband Brian of Peabody, Greg Dineen of S. Boston,and Jaime and Brianna Walker both of Watchung, NJ.Loving great-grandmother of Caleigh Jean and Addison Carvill, Julianna and Justina Bucknill, and one great-grandson due in March.Caring aunt of three nephews and one deceased niece.She also leaves many special pets.
Relatives and friends will gather to honor and remember Polly's life at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, 355 Franklin St., Melrose on Sunday, January 8 where her Memorial Service will be celebrated at 1:00 PM.Gifts in Polly's honor may be made to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21298-9581.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Polly Jean (Gerrish) Walker, please visit our flower store.
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Starts at 1:00 pm
Melrose Highlands Congregational Church
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