Edwynne C. "Polly" Rosenbaum

Edwynne C. "Polly" Rosenbaum September 4, 1899-December 28, 2003 Edwynne Cutler "Polly" Rosenbaum, Arizona's sweetheart, died December 28, 2003. She was 104. Her life touched three centuries and she lived life to its fullest. Polly was the daughter of the late Arthur Henry and Myra Frederick Cutler. She was born in Ollie, Iowa and moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado when she was four. Her father was an educator and instilled in her the wonderful gifts of learning. Polly was a graduate of the Fort Morgan schools and was a superior scholar. She attended Knox College for one year, obtained an undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder and masters degree from the University of Southern California. Honorary doctorates were awarded to her by Northern Arizona University, Arizona State University and the University of Phoenix. Education of children was the love of her life. All the children in Arizona were her sons and daughters. Her teaching career spanned three states: Fort Morgan, Colorado; Lusk, Wyoming; and Hayden, Arizona. One of her favorite stories was taking the train from Colorado to Tucson to teach in Hayden in 1929. She wore a wool suit and had no idea of Arizona in September and the remoteness of the town of Hayden. Her fondest memories were those of the 1930's teaching in the dynamic mining camp, Hayden. She later worked for the superintendent of the smelter in Winkelman. They needed a superb secretary at the State Legislature and she was sent to Phoenix for the assignment. It was there that she caught the eye of William George Rosenbaum. He was a widower, legistlator, miner and pharmacist. They were married in 1939. He worked for the copper mine in Hayden and during the 60 days the State Legislature was in session they lived in the Old Adams Hotel. He was the legislator, serving as Speaker of the House; she was the expert secretary. He died in 1949 and she was appointed to the House of Representatives to complete the term of her late husband, "Rosie." She served in the House until 1994. Polly Rosenbaum was the first woman chairman of the House Administration Committee, a position she held for five terms. Her greatest accomplishments were teaching and inspiring children to learn, the State of Arizona Library System and the preservation of Arizona History. Polly's optimism and energy were amazing. The State of Arizona was her life and she served her State well. She was an articulate speaker, bright and captivating. She is survived by a sister, Lois Dobson of The Woodlands, Texas; nieces Judy Stickney (George) of Mesa, Kay Ford of Arkansas, Jill Henriksen (Russell) of Colorado; nephews James Martin Dobson (Mary) of Texas, Jeffrey Dobson (Chris) of Texas. Her brother, Frederick A. Cutler, and her sister, Mildred "Billie" Cutler, predeceased her. Per her request, services are private. The family suggests a donation in her honor to the charity of your choice, buying a book for a library or doing something special for a young child. Arrangements by Messinger Indian School Mortuary.