Polly Polk Hamman

Polly Pauline Polk Hamman, 95, of Maurertown, VA passed away Wednesday March 21, 2012 at her home in Maurertown following a lengthy illness. She was born on November 21, 1916 in Conicville, Shenandoah County, VA, the fourth of six children born to the late George T. Polk and Ida A. Dellinger Polk. Polly, named after her grandmother Polk, grew up in Conicville on the family farm where love measured with hard work provided a firm foundation for her life. Her tremendous work ethic resulted in her graduation from Triplett High School in Mt. Jackson at a time when education was the exception, rather than the norm. Mrs. Hamman, in addition to taking care of her family, began her working career outside of the home with a night job of operating the telephone switchboard in Toms Brook followed by working as a production worker in the Cannery in Maurertown. She had many happy memories of her two years as a waitress at the Woodstock Tastee Freeze, followed by a fifteen year association at Bowman Applesauce Plant in Mt. Jackson, finally retiring from the Aileen Company where she faithfully worked in both the Woodstock and Edinburg locations for twenty years during which she formed many wonderful and lifelong friendships. Polly married Ray C. Hamman on December 20, 1940 and their marriage continued for more than forty one years until his untimely death on January 20, 1982. Miss Polly enjoyed good health and led an active life in her retirement years, maintaining her many friendships while forming new ones. She loved working in her garden and flower beds. An active member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church for over sixty years, she sang in the choir and helped out in many ways still continuing to send cards to members and the community on behalf of the church until her death. Ever mindful of the community in which she lived, Polly was a faithful member of the Maurertown Citizen's Club which keeps the street lights burning in town. Mrs. Hamman is survived by her loving daughter, Kay Hamman of Maurertown; grandson, Michael R. Cook of Maurertown; Kimberly K. (Cook) Didawick and husband Stuart of Woodstock; great-grand-daughter, Heather L. Shaffer ( her dollbaby) of Woodstock; twin brothers, Leo T. Polk, Sr. of Broadway and Leroy H. Polk of Edinburg; and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters, Ethel Spiggle, Georgia Bowers and Gladys Dellinger. The family will receive friends at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 208 Sand Ridge Road, Toms Brook VA on Friday, March 23, 2012 from 6:00 -7:30 p.m., followed by a time of fellowship over one of Polly's favorite foods, ice cream. The funeral will be held In Maurertown where Polly lived since 1948 at the Maurertown Brethren Church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2012 officiated by Rev. Richard Craver and Rev. James Baseler. followed by burial in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Michael R. Cook, Stuart J. Didawick, Bruce W. Shaffer, Stacy T. Polk, Paul Frye, and Carl J. Cook. Honorary Pallbearers will be Charles Wilson, Seth Rutherford, David Alexander, Roger Grose, Dr. Wallace Lutz and Betty Lutz. Members of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church will also service as honorary pallbearers and sit together as a group. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 1562 Mt. Olive Road Toms Brook, VA 22660 or to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601. Polly was a very sweet person who was always willing to work hard helping out her family, church, and community any way she could, spreading smiles and Christ's love along the way. She will be sorely missed by family and friends. Polly will be missed by her beloved companion dog, Tipper.

Polly Polk Hamman

March 22, 2012