Polly Polly Downes

Polly Downes was born in 1929 as Pauline Virginia Diehl in Winchester, VA. She moved to

Annapolis in 1931 where her father, Rev. Paul R. Diehl, had been assigned as a Methodist Minister. She graduated from Towson High School and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art in design. In the glory days of Baltimore’s Howard & Lexington Street department stores, Polly applied her artistic talents to design and create store windows for Stewarts, Hochchilds, Hutzlers & Brager/Gutman.

She married William H. Lucas, an electrical engineer for BG& E in 1949, and had two children, Wm.Scott Lucas (of Towson) & Sharon V. Lucas Schulzki (of San Diego, CA.) She taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years for the Timonium United Methodist Church, and was active in the school P.T.A. and as a substitute teacher at Ridgely Jr. High.

In 1965, Polly joined Grempler Realty. During her 35 year career in real estate, she achieved extraordinary success and received numerous awards, including appointment as the first women president of the "Realtors Million Dollar Association”, and in 1976, was honored as "Sales Person of the Year" by the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors.

In 1988, Polly married David D. Downes, a Towson attorney. During 25 years of marriage, they “attempted” to play golf at the Country Club of Maryland and enjoyed taking trips together to destinations around the world.

Polly had a remarkable influence on others. Throughout her life, she was active in the United Methodist Church, and for over 50 years, she devoted much love and energy to the Timonium United Methodist Church. She held the position of President of the Timonium United Methodist Women for more than 20 years. She was also a volunteer at GBMC, making flower arrangements for their waiting rooms.

Always loving her first career in art, Polly was able to return to painting in her retirement. Dozens of her paintings are lovingly displayed by friends, and many won prizes at the Maryland State Fair.

In addition to her husband and 2 children, she is survived by 3 stepchildren, 3 grandchildren and 7 step-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends in the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc. 10 W. Padonia Rd, at York Rd, Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9PM. A memorial service will be celebrated in the Timonium United Methodist Church, 2300 Pot Spring Rd, Timonium, MD 20193, on Saturday, November 9 at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed in Polly’s memory to Timonium United Methodist Church, 2300 Pot Spring Rd, Timonium, MD 20193.