Polly Joan

Polly Joan, an incredible woman, Mom, Grandma, wife, artist, counselor and writer passed peacefully from this earthly shell Wednesday evening, August 10th at her home with family in Ithaca N.Y. She is survived by her husband Charlie Zekoll, her three children: Chris (Susan) Gibbons, Gary (Lisa) Gibbons and Julie (Ralph) Kinscheck and four grand Children: Matthew, Mark, Caleb and Hannah Polly and her first husband Paul (Diane) Gibbons and brother-in-law David Hawkins and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Polly was predeceased in 2021 by her beloved sister Judy Griswold (David).

Polly was born in Columbus, OH to Alice Lersch and Courtland Griswold, but grew up in Dayton. Polly earned her BA in sociology from Oberlin College in Ohio, class of 1955. This is where she met and married her first husband, Paul, in 1954. Polly moved to Bronxville, NY for Paul to go to Yale Divinity school and where Polly gave birth to her sons Chris and Gary. Upon graduation, the family moved to Ithaca NY because Paul took a job as a Cornell University Chaplin. It was there that Polly had her daughter Julie. They were married for 25 years during which time Polly also received her Master's in English from Cornell University.

Polly was active in the social movements of the 1960's, often participating in demonstrations and actions in support of women's Rights, Civil Rights and the Peace Movement during the Vietnam war. In the early 1970's they formed a commune in Enfield, NY called Dandelion Hill.

Polly was recently retired from over 25 years as a well-respected photographer and leader at the Ithaca Farmer's Market. Her photography brought light and beauty into the homes and offices of countless people in Ithaca and far beyond. In an earlier career Polly developed a program to help youth at risk while working at Suicide Prevention and authored the important book, Preventing Teenage Suicide: The Living Alternative Handbook (c.1986). She also published a book of her own poetry: No Apologies (c.1975) and co-authored the book A Guide to Women's Publishing (c.1978). Finally, she wrote a book called Turning 60 to share her life story with her loved ones. She also taught creative writing in the public schools and was an adjunct English Professor at Tompkins Cortland Community College.

Polly married her second husband, Charlie Zekoll in 1986, with whom she shared love and life for 36 years. They met at a nightclub while coincidentally, dancing to the music of her sons' band. Charlie was an expert marksman and archer who navigated the woods with great skill. Polly shared countless hours with him in the wilderness, enjoying nature, and shooting photos. He even got her interested in hunting! Early on, Polly worked for the Divi Corporation which afforded opportunities to travel together to beautiful island places and inspired her photo shoots in her spare time. On one of these island trips, Charlie tells how they even won a dance contest together! It was shortly after leaving Divi that she launched Polly Joan Photography, her final and most well-known career that lasted until age 87!

Polly will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

There will be a celebration of life service held at 2:00pm on Dec. 29, 2022 at the

First Unitarian Society, 306 N. Aurora St, Ithaca, NY 14850