1928
Pauline
2025
Pauline Smith
July 13, 1928 — August 11, 2025
Pauline “Polly” H. Smith, 97, of Loves Park, IL, passed away on August 11, 2025. Born July 13, 1928, in Minneapolis, MN, daughter of Paul and Esther (Simley) Hendrick. Survived by daughter, Carolyn (Chris); granddaughters, Amanda, and Megan; grandson, Kalen (Jazmine); step-grandsons, Andrew (Lexi) and Joseph; son-in-law, Pete (Chandra); cousin, Bernie (Betty); nieces, Kathy (Don), Merry (Norm), Lisa (Mike), Chris, and Andrea (Craig); and nephew, Mike (Carol). She was predeceased by her daughter, Emily; her son, Brian; and her husband of 60 years, Stuart.
As a child, her family moved to Madison, WI, and purchased a women’s boarding dormitory at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where Polly grew up. Her folks were “housemother and housefather” there. Polly went to Madison Central High School and attended Hamline University where she graduated with a B.A. in Speech and Theater. She also attained her teaching degree at University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She began teaching in Randolph, WI. She would return to visit her folks, and at one point her mom and another housemother set up Polly with Stuart. Their romance began, and they were married June 26, 1954. They moved to Loves Park, IL, after Stuart graduated and started his career as a pharmacist and they started their family.
Polly was an extremely active leader in Loves Park. In PTA, the other parents could not assume the dynamic speaking roles, so they all nominated Polly to lead. She was the second female to join the Loves Park Rotary Club and the longest serving female member there, for 35 years. Polly and Stuart hosted several foreign exchange students, supported many fundraisers, and traveled with Rotary. She was also on the North Suburban Library board for 17 years, serving in the office of Secretary. Later, she and Stuart served as Friends of the Library. She delivered Meals on Wheels for many years in the Rockford community and served with the Park Pantry. She and Stuart also read books to children at Loves Park School.
Her city leadership roles included Zoning Board of Appeals for 7 years and 3rd Ward Alderman for 15 years. During that time, she and Stuart were campaign chairmen for Mayors Joseph Sinkawic and Darryl Lindberg, helping them win every time they ran for mayor.
Her home church was Bethany Presbyterian Church for 71 years, where she served in every capacity. She ran the chili suppers at Bethany for many years. She joyfully taught early childhood Sunday School which was a highlight in developing the children at Bethany.
Polly was a sweet, kind, caring, compassionate, witty person who instantly made friends. Her immediate family losses did not dampen her spirits, as she had many life-long companions. A special thanks to Heather Gomez, Peggy Burdick, and Tabitha Stone who compassionately cared for Polly in her later years. Also, many thanks to the staff at Davita Roxbury and her special friend and Technician, Mike Parr.
Memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5403 North 2nd Street, Loves Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. Cremation rites accorded. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club, and Hamline University.
As a child, her family moved to Madison, WI, and purchased a women’s boarding dormitory at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where Polly grew up. Her folks were “housemother and housefather” there. Polly went to Madison Central High School and attended Hamline University where she graduated with a B.A. in Speech and Theater. She also attained her teaching degree at University of Wisconsin Whitewater. She began teaching in Randolph, WI. She would return to visit her folks, and at one point her mom and another housemother set up Polly with Stuart. Their romance began, and they were married June 26, 1954. They moved to Loves Park, IL, after Stuart graduated and started his career as a pharmacist and they started their family.
Polly was an extremely active leader in Loves Park. In PTA, the other parents could not assume the dynamic speaking roles, so they all nominated Polly to lead. She was the second female to join the Loves Park Rotary Club and the longest serving female member there, for 35 years. Polly and Stuart hosted several foreign exchange students, supported many fundraisers, and traveled with Rotary. She was also on the North Suburban Library board for 17 years, serving in the office of Secretary. Later, she and Stuart served as Friends of the Library. She delivered Meals on Wheels for many years in the Rockford community and served with the Park Pantry. She and Stuart also read books to children at Loves Park School.
Her city leadership roles included Zoning Board of Appeals for 7 years and 3rd Ward Alderman for 15 years. During that time, she and Stuart were campaign chairmen for Mayors Joseph Sinkawic and Darryl Lindberg, helping them win every time they ran for mayor.
Her home church was Bethany Presbyterian Church for 71 years, where she served in every capacity. She ran the chili suppers at Bethany for many years. She joyfully taught early childhood Sunday School which was a highlight in developing the children at Bethany.
Polly was a sweet, kind, caring, compassionate, witty person who instantly made friends. Her immediate family losses did not dampen her spirits, as she had many life-long companions. A special thanks to Heather Gomez, Peggy Burdick, and Tabitha Stone who compassionately cared for Polly in her later years. Also, many thanks to the staff at Davita Roxbury and her special friend and Technician, Mike Parr.
Memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5403 North 2nd Street, Loves Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time. Cremation rites accorded. Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, 401 River Lane, Loves Park. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established at Bethany Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club, and Hamline University.
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