Ellen Pauline Sem

Polly, daughter of Harold and Alvina Gott grew up in Bangor, Maine, along with her Brother John Gott and sister Carolyn Buzzell. Polly met Jerry Sem in Bangor while he was in the Navy and married just three months later on July 22, 1960. He was the love of her life, her biggest fan, and the only one who truly understood her - most of the time (the rest of the time, he just agreed. Smart man.) They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary.

Polly was devoted to her family. Her home was filled with love… and enough home - cooked meals to feed an army. If you left her house hungry, it was your own fault. (She believed in seconds, thirds, and “just a little more.”)

After her children were grown, she worked at Tracyton Dental and retired from Harrison Hospital as an administrative assistant.

Polly enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: gardening, sewing, quilting, playing cards (especially winning), camping, fishing, and visiting with family and friends. Polly was known for her kindness and could start up a conversation with anyone she met! (She never met a stranger - just friends she hadn’t chatted with yet.) Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great - grandmother, and aunt - whose love and support shaped generations of her family.

Polly is survived by her husband Jerry Sem, her twin daughters Tammi Berghage (Tim) and Terri Dumont (Mike), her sons Steven Sem (Tammi) and John Sem (Amy), 10 grandchildren (aka her favorite people), and a big collection of great-grandchildren (aka her legacy and the reason she bragged so much).

Polly will be remembered and probably talked about at every family gathering forever. Rest easy, Mom - we’ll try to behave…but no promises. (We’ll save you a seat, a snack, and the last word.)

Services for Polly will be held at Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home in Bremerton on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 1 pm. Come celebrate a life well lived and bring your stories.