Pollyanna E. Lokey

Pollyanna E. Lokey of Plattsburgh, New York, passed peacefully on October 13, 2023. Polly was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Benjamin F. Lokey. She is survived by her children Beth Murray, Alan, and Brenda, grandchildren Tara Grove (Bryan), Dylan Murray (Joana Paulino), Ryan (Kathleen Cooke), and Alexander (Heather), and great-grandson Linus Benjamin Paulino-Murray.
Polly was born November 23, 1921 to Edmund F. and Pauline Wood Espy. She was raised in the small town of Eufaula, Alabama. Despite living the majority of her life in more northern states, she never lost her charming southern accent. She was the first in her family to attend college and graduated with a degree in home economics and a minor in chemistry from Alabama College, State College for Women (now the University of Montevallo).
Polly and Ben lived in several states, eventually settling in Medford Lakes, New Jersey. Polly worked as a substitute teacher until the school superintendent convinced her to join the faculty as a home economics teacher. In her second year she designed and furnished the home economics department for the new Shawnee High School.
In retirement, Polly was an active volunteer, first as a docent for Smithfield Mansion and transporting patients at the Burlington County Hospital in New Jersey, and then, after moving to Plattsburgh with Ben, volunteering for the Plattsburgh hospital and the Kent-Delord House Museum. She was a resident of Lake Forest Senior Living Community until 2022 and celebrated her 100th birthday there surrounded by family and friends.
She loved to share stories from her early life, from the many places she and her family lived and traveled, and from her world travels in retirement. Many of her stories revolved around meals. She approached food with her usual spirit of adventure, whether as a home cook, as a home economics teacher, as a traveler sampling cuisines around the world, and most of all when shared with family and friends.
Polly was a prolific quilter, producing beautiful bedspreads and placemats for her family while chatting with friends. She also enjoyed her weekly golf game with friends, where her ability to laugh at herself came in handy. She loved to host her grandchildren at her home in Medford Lakes, New Jersey, taking them swimming, berry picking, and on train rides to Philadelphia.
She was a tireless supporter of her family and friends, and in her later years traveled to cheer on her granddaughter and children in the Boston Marathon and other races. An avid walker, she was not content to sit on the sidelines and completed her first 5K in Boston at the age of 89, winning her age group.
Services will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the Kent-Delord House Museum, 17 Cumberland Ave., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, the United Methodist Church, 127 Beekman St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901, or a charity of your choosing. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.