401 N. Hayden Rd. Scottsdale, AZ 85257
On the morning of May 17th, 2020, at the age of 100, Polly was called home to be with Our Lord Jesus. Polly was laid to rest, alongside her first husband, Tom Horton, at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale, AZ on the morning of May 22, 2020, at a beautiful graveside service with all of her family in attendance. Polly is survived by her daughter, Mary Klatt (Pat); son Tom Horton (Wendy); step-sons Mike, Rick, Bob, Garry (Vickie), Mark, and Chris (Liz) Hendel; step-daughters, Jean, Beth and Pat Hendel; 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Polly, will be remembered for her warm, beautiful, caring and loving ways always having time and love to give to anyone she met. Nothing was ever too much for Polly when it came to family and friends. People were drawn to “sweet Polly” her for her warmth, her beautiful and inviting smile, her positive spirit, and great sense of humor. She could light up a room without even trying. Polly loved her family. Polly loved children. She loved to travel, she loved to dance, she loved angels, clouds, rainbows, hummingbirds and could bake the best pies ever—her banana cream pie is legendary!
Polly was born Martha Pauline Metz on a glorious Sunday morning, September 7th, 1919, in Morgantown, West Virginia. She was born to William and Mary Louise Metz and was the 5th of 7 children. It was always said that Polly was the apple of her daddy’s eye.
When Polly was 5 the family moved to Hiram, Ohio where she lived most of her young life. She was a good student, outgoing, loved acting and starred in her high school play, Romeo and Juliet.
Polly attended Hiram College graduating with her RN Degree. Being an RN was a very important part of her life and followed throughout her life.
In her early 20’s, Polly met and married Tom Horton who not long after marrying was off to serve in World War II joining the Navy as a Chief Petty Officer. Polly was also going to join as a Navy nurse, but there was a policy at that time that married couples could not both go off to war. So, Polly remained at home in Michigan working as a nurse. Polly and Tom later had 2 children, Mary Louise and Thomas Stanley Jr. They had a good and happy life and were married for 35 years before Tom’s passing in 1977. Polly then moved to Arizona where her daughter lived and not long after moving to Arizona, met John Hendel who was also recently widowed. John had 9 children. Polly and John soon married and together had 11 children and lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Polly and John had a wonderful life together with lots of fun and lots of laughter and lots of dancing. They were married for 33 years until John’s passing in 2013.
Polly spent the remaining years of her life living in Tempe, AZ with her daughter, Mary (Pat), being surrounded with the love of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. Polly celebrated her 100th birthday on September 7th, 2019, in a grand celebration of the life of this special, sweet and loving lady. Her son, Tom, and his family from Chicago were also in attendance as they were every year for her birthday.
Polly (my mom) is greatly missed by everyone, but every time I see a hovering hummingbird or a beautiful white fluffy cloud or rainbow reaching high above the clouds I know she is right here with me.
Please click on the link below to visit Polly Hendel’s Facebook page where you will see many photos of Polly’s beautiful and blessed life.
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