- Gifts in Polly's honor:
-
The Foundation for Fighting Blindness
PO Box 17279
Baltimore, MD 21298
Share This Obituary
Message from the Family
Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Please enhance this tribute to Polly by adding your memories and photos.
Arrangements made by
Robinson Funeral Home
809 Main Street
Melrose,
MA
02176
View Map - Get Directions→
Profile of Robinson Funeral Home→
Tel. (781) 665-1900
Fax. (781) 665-2346
info@robinsonfuneralhome.com
Receive Obituary Notifications by Email
Memories & Candles
Previous
“To my dear friend Polly's family and friends. We are so glad we were able to attend Polly's memorial service. What a fine tribute to a very special...Read More »
”
1 of 14 | Posted by: Joan Brock - Rochester, NH
“Dear Ken, Diane, Donna and families,
I was so very sorry to hear of Polly's passing. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great...Read More »
”
2 of 14 | Posted by: Deb Fanara - Dennis, MA
“Dear Doug, Dee, Jaime, Bree and extended family:
Whenever Doug spoke to me about about his mom he also commented on the great marriage she had and...Read More »
”
3 of 14 | Posted by: Bob Moran - Piscataway, NJ
“We did not know Polly very long but it seems like we have know her forever.
She always made us feel welcome each time we met at with the Lunch Bunch.
”
4 of 14 | Posted by: Hugh and Rosamond Parks - MA
“Dear Walker Family,
As I just became informed of the loss Polly, I wanted to express my sincere sympathy to each of you.
I know she was loved...Read More »
”
5 of 14 | Posted by: Lynn Price - Sale Creek , TN
“I don't know where to begin with the memories. There are so many sweet ones of growing up together on Charles and West Emerson Streets. Your mom,...Read More »
”
6 of 14 | Posted by: Cathy (Harris) Grassello - MA
“Polly and Ken were friends of the (Ray S. and Helen M.) Braden family formerly of Orris Street Melrose. Mom and Dad often spoke fondly of Polly and...Read More »
”
7 of 14 | Posted by: Jim Braden - Hyde Park, NY
“Bud & Donna,
I'm so very sorry for your loss.
Take Care,
Linda
”
8 of 14 | Posted by: Linda Doucette - Wilmington, MA
“I am so sorry for your loss! I always remember Polly used to cry when we would leave the camp in NH. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly...Read More »
”
9 of 14 | Posted by: Hope Keenom-Doran - North Andover, MA
“Such a beautiful picture of Gram. It brought tears to my eyes. So many memories through the years -- I can still hear the way she would say ...Read More »
”
10 of 14 | Posted by: Valerie Bowden - Melrose, MA
“You will live forever in our fond memories we have of you Gigi. You will be missed!
”
11 of 14 | Posted by: Harrington family - Auburn, MA
“Gram, you will forever be an inspiration to me. Ill continue living my life as you did, each day to the best it could be.
Love you forever xoxo
...Read More »
”
12 of 14 | Posted by: Jaime - grand daughter
“Rest in Peace Gram Polly...I know that you have touched so many hearts during you life. You are now a gaurdian Angel to everyone. God Bless you.
...Read More »
”
13 of 14 | Posted by: Nicholas C. Varano - Taunton, MA
“It is not goodbye Gram.... it is so long for now.
We love you so very, very much.
xoxo
”
14 of 14 | Posted by: LyneMarie - grand daughter
Mrs. Polly Jean (Gerrish) Walker, a resident of Wakefield and formerly of Melrose, passed away surrounded by the love and adoration of her family on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, at age 85.
Polly Jean was born on May 14, 1926 in Brookline, one of two children of the late John J. and Alice V. (Grant) Gerrish. She was raised in the Greenwood section of Wakefield and graduated from Wakefield High School, Class of 1944. She continued her education at Forsythe Dental School in Boston where she studied to become a dental hygienist. On June 9, 1951, she married the love of her life and cherished partner for 60 years, N. Kennard Walker. They began their life together in Wakefield and moved to Melrose in 1955 to raise their family of three children.
Active in her community, Polly was a volunteer at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, a member of Kappa Delta Psi and the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church. For many years, she worked as a dental hygienist at Dr. Frederick Trevor's office in Melrose. After moving to Dover, New Hampshire in 1986, she became a volunteer at Wentworth Douglass Hospital and a member of First Parish Congregational Church. She was a very active member of DAR of NH, and the Mayflower Society of NH. Polly and Ken enjoyed their annual spring vacation to Seawatch on Ft. Myers Beach in Florida and loved spending summers at their home on Pawtuckaway Lake in Nottingham, NH. They returned to Massachusetts 4 years ago to Wakefield where they could be closer to their loving family.
Polly with her husband Ken were loyal followers of New England folk music. For many years, they travelled throughout New England to listen to their favorite groups and singers.
Polly, as the matriarch of her family, led by example. She was a great listener who also had the ability to connect with family and friends, young and old. She was the best friend to her husband, Ken, set the bar incredibly high as a mother to her 3 children, and was an exceptional role model to her 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Always full of life and loving every minute she had with family and friends, she renewed her vows and remarried her best friend on their 50th wedding anniversary on June 10th, 2001. Polly will be forever missed, but her faithful, loving and inspiring life will be her legacy…everything was thumbs up.
Polly was the beloved wife of N. Kennard Walker with whom she shared over 60 years of blissful marriage. Devoted mother of Diane Jean Bucknill of Wakefield, Doug and Dee Walker of Watchung, NJ, and Donna and Bud Dineen of Saugus. Dear sister of the late Robert G. Gerrish. Cherished grandmother of LyneMarie Carvill and her husband Mike of Worcester, David Bucknill and his wife Margaret of Newbury, Chris Dineen of Peabody, Jenn Kohr and her husband Brian of Peabody, Greg Dineen of S. Boston, and Jaime and Brianna Walker both of Watchung, NJ. Loving great-grandmother of Caleigh Jean and Addison Carvill, Julianna and Justina Bucknill, and one great-grandson due in March. Caring aunt of three nephews and one deceased niece. She also leaves many special pets.
Relatives and friends will gather to honor and remember Polly's life at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, 355 Franklin St., Melrose on Sunday, January 8 where her Memorial Service will be celebrated at 1:00 PM. Gifts in Polly's honor may be made to the Foundation for Fighting Blindness, PO Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21298-9581.




