Obituary of Pauline M Denison

Pauline Marie Denison passed away on her 95th birthday, March 17, 2016, surrounded by her loving family and the caring staff at the Gables. Polly was born March 17, 1921, near Port Royal, VA, the daughter of Clarence and Goldie Farmer. Along with her two younger sisters, Elsie and Elizabeth, Polly was raised on a farm where she grew into a beautiful, sociable young woman with dark hair and a gap-toothed smile. She was a member of the basketball and baseball teams at Sparta High School. After graduating high school, she attended Smithdeal-Massey Business College in Richmond, Virginia. Returning home, she was hired by Caroline County in Bowling Green as a secretary. There she met Raymond R. Denison, whom she married Dec. 20, 1941. After WWII, the growing family relocated several times to follow his career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They spent nine years in Cincinnati, Ohio, before finally settling in Edina, Minnesota. As her children began leaving home, Polly continued caring for children by operating a daycare, which at some point included her grandchildren. Beginning in her sixties, Polly traveled extensively, including all 50 states, as well as various countries throughout the world. An avid reader, she was also very active and liked long walks and water aerobics. For many years she volunteered at the Edina Senior Center, for which she received a commendation from the Mayor. Later she was hired at Hudson Jewelers in their gift-wrap department where she was well liked. Polly was a former resident of Edina Park Plaza and the Bloomington Masonic Home. She was a member of Christ Presbyterian and Grace Church, both in Edina. She was preceded in death by her husband Raymond and her sister Elizabeth Skinner. Survived by sister, Elsie Eskridge of VA; her children, Barbara, Robert, Tom, Jeanne, Marilyn, Doris, Bill (Denise), and Chuck (Amy); grandchildren, Ginny, Dustin (Jessica), Noel (Don), Wes, Kristina, and Kristina Lynn; great grandchildren, Carter, Aiden, Autumn, Max, and Anika. Memorial Service Wed. 1 pm at the Cremation Society, 7110 France Ave S, Edina. Memorials to Presbyterian Homes.