Barbara Jean Polk

Barbara Jean McNeill Polk passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on October 5, 2025, embraced by the love of family and close acquaintances. Her quiet kindness, playful stubbornness, and unconditional support will be remembered happily and missed tremendously. A long-time resident of Boulder City, she was born November 9, 1938, in Graham, Missouri to Iles W. McNeill and Electa Bailey McNeill. Upon graduating high school in Portland, Oregon, she began nursing training but changed her life course upon marrying Otis Douglas Polk on November 7, 1959. After the birth of their first son Kevin, the couple relocated to Southern Nevada and the births of sons Michial and Patrick soon followed. In 1969, after her husband's untimely death, Barbara's path became that of single mother dedicated to raising her children in Boulder City and later an accountant whose professional career culminated with retirement from the Screen Actors Guild in Hollywood, California.

Returning to Nevada after a long absence, Barbara volunteered with the Boulder City Henderson Heatwave Swim Team and became active with the Democratic Party, earning an invitation to the first inauguration of President Barack Obama. She also enjoyed researching family genealogy and sharing discoveries with her nephew Bob McNeill. A lover of travel to the end, she filled her home with cherished souvenirs from regions near and far. Those who journeyed with Barbara will fondly recall her fearlessly driving, and sometimes getting lost on, the highways and backroads of America; exploring the landscape of New Zealand; walking peaceful beaches in California and Hawaii; searching for relatives, living and dead, in Ireland; and spotting desert burros for the first time.

In addition to her husband, Barbara was predeceased by her parents, older brother Robert E. McNeill, and a kennel's worth of adopted dogs she adored. She is survived by her sons Kevin (Susan) Polk, Michial Polk, and Patrick (Jeri) Polk; sisters Ann McNeill Bridgewater and Sue McNeill; grandchildren Douglas (Kaitlin) Polk, Elliott (Xin) Polk, and Georgina (Kwame) Polk; great-grandchildren Otis Douglas Polk and Knox Rider Polk; and numerous nieces and nephews. Her remains will be interred with those of her late husband in Miller Cemetery, Silverton, Oregon. Those who wish to remember Barbara through action are urged to donate to local organizations that aid people and animals in need. No public services