Sara L. Polen

Sara L. Polen, age 89, of Country Club Campus at Dover, died Monday morning, January 31, 2005 in Union Hospital at Dover.Born on Independence Day, 1915, in New Manchester, formerly Pughtown, West Virginia, Sara was the last surviving daughter of the late John Henderson and Maude Stewart Mayhew. Sara graduated from Chester High School in the early 1930’s and embarked on a career sewing everything from draperies to clothing. She was active in her church, Fairview Presbyterian, and was one of the congregation’s oldest members. Sara’s interests included cooking and volunteer work. She and her late husband resided in many cities throughout the eastern United States; Buffalo, NY, Johnstown, PA, Detroit, MI, Philadelphia, PA, Dover and Marion, O. before retirement in the early 1970’s called the couple home to New Manchester, WV.On June 5, 1937, Sara married Lewis B. Polen, formerly of New Cumberland, WV, who preceded her in death in 1981. Together they raised a son Robert L. (Nancy A.) Polen of Linden, MI, and a daughter; Suzanne (Robert J. “Soapy”) Albert of Dover. Sara leaves behind four grandchildren; Kim S. (Dan) O’Connell of Linden, MI, David R. (DeAnne) Polen of Linden, MI, Robert H. (Jane) Maurer of New Philadelphia, and Debra (Matt) Goodwin of New Philadelphia, eight great-grandchildren, three sisters-in-law; Mary Lou and Wilma Mayhew and Betty Kessel as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Three brothers; Stewart, Robert and Shields, and two sisters; Jane and Mary Louise, as well as her parents and husband precede Sara in death.Friends are invited to call Thursday afternoon from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at the Turley Funeral Home, 109 North Chester Street, New Cumberland, WV where the Rev. Brian Kilbert will officiate Sara’s funeral Friday morning at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Hancock County, WV. Following the committal service, the ladies of Fairview Presbyterian will host a reception in the church fellowship hall. Those unable to attend services in West Virginia are invited to send condolences to the family, sign an online guest registry and view a memorial to Mrs. Polen’s life by visiting the funeral home’s website. At the request of the family, memorial contributions may be made to the Jan Graham Scholarship Fund in care of the Fairview Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 186 New Manchester, WV, 26056.