Polly Coffman, age 95 and an Islander for 33 of those years,

passedaway peacefully last Tuesday, September 5, at her residence of 3

months, Island Elder Care (lower Gold Beach). She was born in Albemarle, NC, April 18, 1932.

A true Southern lady, Polly saw "Gone With The Wind" 13 times. Like Scarlett O'Hara, she lived through multiple hardships, yet came

through them with tenacity and resilience as a vivacious, loving and happy person. Her buoyant spirit served her well all her life, including the end.

At age 10, Polly's veterinarian father, Earnest Moore Martin, committed suicide. Her mother was committed to a mental hospital for two years.

Food and funds were scarce in 1933, the Depression. Her oldest sister Myrtis, age 18 (now 101), returned to take charge of her 3 sisters and a brother. With help from

relatives and neighbors, the five siblings had a decent life.

Notwithstanding these hard times, young Polly decided: "Life is good. Always celebrate the blessings." A cheerleader in high school, she was

voted "Most Popular." She constantly affirmed what was good in her life, regardless of health: "I live in such a beautiful place....I have wonderful caregivers" etc

In 1943 she married Selby Coffman Jr., whom she met at Appalachian College N.C. She supported him through college and medical school,

working for Blue Cross / Blue Shield. He became a radiologist. With the birth of Selby III ("Chip") and Nell Carolyn ("Carol," later "Nell"), she became a housewife. But she was

not the "stay-at-home" brand of housewife, though her family always came first. The family moved to Madisonville, KY in 1961.

Polly learned the guitar, then taught it. "Polly's Parrots" performed locally. She was an actor and organizer for the local "Foot Light

Players." She bicycled several miles daily on back country roads. In her mid-forties, a 22-year old friend accompanied her on a self-guided

tour of Europe on mopeds. She went on venturesome safaris and other trips, with and without her husband.

Polly had grown up a Methodist, then later joined an Episcopal church for her children. After they grew up, she became a prayerful, unaffiliated Christian.

Her husband Selby died in 1988 soon after they moved to their new house at Lower Gold Beach, Vashon.

Her fellow PEO sisters were among her many precious friends. She became an avid bridge, tennis and movies fan. Three photos of tennis great Roger

Federer graced the household. "The Descendants" became her favorite movie, which she watched many times in her last months.

In 2016, a beloved "dream team" of caregivers was organized by Belinda Jovanovitch. In June of 2018 she moved to Island Elder Care, run by

Theresa Shipley, just 1/4 mile from her house, where she was lovingly cared for.

We are deeply grateful to all of Mom's good friends for their continued visits, and to her capable and devoted caregivers. Many thanks to

Providence Hospice and to Island Funeral Services.

Her living relatives include her sister Myrtis Butler, daughter Nell Coffman (Island vet for 35+ years), son-in-law Ray Hanowell, grandchildren

Julia Hanowell and Colin Hanowell.

In lieu of flowers, friends & family may make a gift to the Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust, helping protect and preserve the natural legacy of

Vashon-Maury Island for future generations www.vashonlandtrust.org , or Vashon-Maury Island Land Trust PO Box 2031 Vashon, WA 98070

A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held Saturday Nov 3, at 2:00 pm; at the Gold Beach Community Center.

(Go to lower Gold Beach, turn right at bottom of the hill, at the big curve take the long driveway).

CONTACT Nell Coffman, 27401 99th Ave SW. 206-463-5591

rayhanowell@yahoo.com or Selby 208-866-6072 selby@idahomonks.org 541 E 100 S, Jerome, ID 83338