Polly Jane(Bartholomew) Pavao, 61, Franklin Massachusetts, lost her two year long battle with cancer and passed away on the evening of October 13th in the comfort of her own home, held tightly by her dearest loved ones.
Ever the fighter, Polly was a breast cancer survivor and fought her second round of cancer for just under two years with strength, grace and dignity.
Born in Celeron New York on August 8, 1957, daughter of the late Frank and Audrey (Seager) Bartholomew, she was raised in upstate New York and graduated with a B.A in Communications from University of Kentucky in 1980.
Polly loved writing and pursued a career in advertising where she quickly climbed up the ranks achieving a Vice President of Marketing Director title at The Co-Operative Bank. When the happy news came that Polly and her husband Santi were having their first daughter Ava, Polly left her career to focus on motherhood and proved herself to be the backbone of the household.
Birthday parties, soccer practices, recitals, regattas. It didn’t matter what the event, Polly made sure she showed her support, often driving her girls back and forth to games or events. Polly’s creativity knew no bounds and she always strived to make the lives of her family and friends as joyous and celebratory as possible. Singing was a favorite activity for Polly, and the house was never silent for very long before show tunes and pop hits were being sung throughout the walls of the very happy household.
Once her second daughter, Olivia was in college, Polly began working at CVS Corporate as a copywriter, creating content for in-store signage and product labels. Polly enjoyed her work, but nothing made her happier than spending time with her family, notably, traveling.
In recent years, Polly and her family enjoyed traveling to Europe and London, England touring all of the outdoor markets and enjoying the amazing sights these places have to offer. Polly and her husband Santi, also enjoyed a relaxing vacation to St. John enjoying the sun, surf and sand of the island. In the past year, Polly and her husband achieved their long-time dream of purchasing a Summer house on New England’s picturesque Cape Cod. Nauset Beach, was a favorite of Polly’s. She loved sitting in a beach chair basking in the sun, watching the waves and reading a book.
Polly was the most special person who was always there for people when they needed her and always had a kind word to say to you. She was the most loving wife, mother, sister and friend and will forever be in our hearts and in our thoughts.
Polly is survived by her husband Santiago Pavao, and two daughters Ava and Olivia. Besides her immediate family she leaves her sisters Amy Douglas, husband Myles Douglas and their daughter Hayley Douglas and Terri Toter and her husband Benjamin Toter and many other family members and friends.
Her funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 19, in St. Jude’s Church, Norfolk at 10:00.
Polly’s family will receive friends on Thursday, October 18th at the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street Franklin from 5-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute /Lung Cancer. 10 Brookline Place, Brookline, MA 02445.