Terry G Polinskey

Terry Polinskey passed away on March 23rd, 2026 in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

She was born on April 13th, 1940 to Eda Staley and George Weatherton in Van Buren. She graduated in 1958 from Van Buren High School. After graduation, she attended Fort Smith Junior College for two semesters. She then moved to Sheaveport, Louisiana to work and attend John Robert Powers School of modeling. Her modeling career was cut short when she met her Prince Charming, John Truman Polinskey Jr. They were married on August 11, 1960 and two wonderful sons were born.

She loved being a stay-at-home mom and chauffeuring her sons to various after school activities including the Cub Scouts of which she was a den mother for four years. After being a stay-at-home mom for seventeen years, she decided to return to school to finish her degree earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude; a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology, Summa Cum Laude; and a Doctorate of Education in Counselor Education, Magna Cum Laude. She opened a private practice in 1987 which continued until 2020. She taught for sixteen years in the psychology department at Westark College, later at University of Arkansas Fort Smith, retiring in 2002 to devote herself fully to her practice and teaching part-time for John Brown University in the counseling department.

She was the creator and facilitator of "Someone Understands", a grief counseling group recovery program for bereavement sponsored by Edwards Funeral Home. This program, the study for her doctoral dissertation, was very successful and continued for seventeen years.

Terry has always been active in the United Methodist Church, giving of her time and service, first at Hendricks Hills Methodist Church and later at St. Paul Methodist Church. Her various services included: President of United Methodist Women; Methodist Youth Fellowship youth counselor; Sunday school teacher, and a Bible school director. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Philanthropic Educational Organization. Chapter F in Fort Smith.

She is survived by her two wonderful sons, Michael and John III, her beloved grandchildren, John IV, Piers, Natalia, her great grandchildren John V and Matthias, her nieces Debbie and Becky and several grand nieces and nephews; as well as her lifelong friend, Dorothy, whom she met when she was four years old.

Visitation will be on March 27th 12:00pm to 2:00pm at St. Paul United Methodist Church where funeral services will immediately follow. The burial service will take place at Fort Smith's Oak Cemetery.

Honorary Pallbearers will be the birthday club of Hendricks Hills; St. Paul UMW Journey Sunday School class and J.O.Y.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 4100 Grand Avenue, Fort Smith.