Polly Silver Myers

She was born June 29,1924 in Terre Haute,IN. the daughter of Philip J. and Fay Workans Silver. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Reba Silver and Beatrice Siegal.

Polly received her Bachelor of Science in Speech Education from Northwestern University in 1945 and was a member of Who’s Who among students in American Universities and Colleges in 1944 and 1945. She was on the faculty of the Speech Department at Gulf Park Junior College in 1946 and 1947.

She received her Master of Arts in Sociology in 1972 and her Master of Arts in Human Development Counseling in 1973, both at Sangamon State University. She was the Recruiter in the Office of Enrollment Services at SSU in 1982 and also from 1985 to 1986. In 1983 she organized both Gov. Jim Edgar’s first Illinois Literary Heritage Conference and was Program Coordinator of the Secretary of State’s Office Read Illinois Program. She was Campus Community Relations Officer at UIS from 1985 to 1986 and Coordinator of Community Relations for WSEC 14/65(PBS) in 1998. She was the recipient of the UIS Loyalty Award for exceptional alumni service and served on the Chancellor’s Capital Council at UIS.

She served as Chairperson of the Old Capitol Art Fair, President of the Temple B’rith Sholom Sisterhood, first woman chairperson of the United Jewish Appeal, Mayoral appointee to the International Visitors Commission, Member of the Vachel Lindsay Board, Secretary of the Lincoln Land Girl Scout Council, Charter member of the Springfield Area Council of Public Broadcasting, President of Traveler’s Service, member of the Lincoln Academy, Secretary of the Springfield Art Association, and 2000 Special Gifts Chairman of the United Way.

She is survived by sons, Father Philip Jacob Myers (wife, Rebecca) and Albert Morris Myers,III (wife, Elena) both of Atlanta,GA.; daughter Marilyn Silver (Husband, Don Coates) of Springfield; Sister, Ethel Gingold of Springfield and grandchildren, Lauren Justine Silver, Justin Silver, Brigitta Nicole Myers, Gabrielle Myers, Rebecca Esther Myers, Charles Robin Myers and Julia Emerson Myers.

Friends may call Thursday June 11, 2009 from 5 to 8:00 PM at Boardman-Smith Funeral Chapel. Services will be held at Noon Friday June 12, 2009 at Temple B’rith Sholom with Rabbi Michael Datz officiating. Interment will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorials donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Polly S. Myers Scholarship Fund for Disabled Students at the University of Illinois at Springfield.Please leave condolences at www.boardman-smith.net.