Mary "Polly" Getkin

Mary "Polly" Getkin
of South Burlington, VT
Polly Getkin, 91, peacefully died October 10, 2009 at her home in Pillsbury Manor South with her daughter nearby. Polly was born in Washington, DC on April 30, 1918 to Antoinette (Tyssowski) and Harry Clayberger. After graduating from Mt. Holly High Shool, Polly attended the Burlington County Hospital of Nursing and graduated as a Registered Nurse in May of 1939. During her tenure at Burlington County Hospital, Polly specialized in emergency and maternity nursing. On March 3, 1942, Polly married Earl Getkin just prior to his deployment to the Philippines and Japan during WWII. Upon his discharge from the Army in 1947, Polly Earl and their daughter, Carolyn, moved to Apalachin, NY, where they resided for many years. During their years in Apalachin, Polly was a volunteer for many local agencies: a fire and rescue ambulance service, the Red Cross, and literacy programs, and taught pre-natal care classes. Additionally, Polly was a devoted parishioner at St. Paul's Episcopal Church where she served on the altar guild for many years. While in Apalachin, Polly's passion for watercolor painting flourished. For 25 years, Polly and her painting friends met weekly to paint, to share their expertise with each other and to exhibit their work in many local galleries. In December of 2003, Polly and Earl moved to Allenwood at Pillsbury Manor South to be closer to family. Earl predeceased Polly on June 24, 2005. Polly will be greatly missed by her daughter, Carolyn Donahue and her son-in-law, Frank; her four granddaughters, Stephanie Anderson, Sarah Truax, Samantha Candon, Shannon Linkin and their families; her sister, Harriett Jordan and her children's families; her sister-in-law, Beatrice Hood and her children's families along with extended family and friends. Our heartfelt thanks to the Pillsbury Manor South staff for their loving and compassionate care of Polly as well as their support to us.
A memorial service will be held in Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne, Saturday, October 17, at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Trinity Episcopal Memorial Garden. A reception for family and friends will be held in the McClure Room immediately following interment. Funeral arrangements are by Corbin & Palmer Inc. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Polly's name to Hospice of the Champlain Valley-VNA, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446 or the charity of your choice.