Sturbridge, MA---- Pauline “Polly” Anita (Sinclair) Baker, 91, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Quaboag Rehabilitation & Skilled Care Center in West Brookfield, MA.
Polly was born April 9, 1928 in Laconia, NH the daughter of Ernest H. and Mildred (Johnston) Sinclair.
Polly grew up in the Lakes Region in Laconia, NH and graduated from Laconia High School in 1946. Afterwards she attended the Plymouth State Teachers College, where she majored in Education and obtained her Bachelor’s in Education Degree in 1953. She also attended Boston University and Rivier College for her graduate studies. Polly received her graduate Master of Education Majoring in Education from Rivier College, Nashua, NH on June 3, 1962.
Interested in dance, Polly began studying Dance at the age of 15. During her second, third and fourth year of college, she danced solo with the Plymouth A Cappella Choir. After college, Polly performed dance stints in most of the musicals at the Lakes Region Playhouse in the 50’s, which was NH’s foremost Summer Theater; as well she designed and sewed costumes for the star performers. She later taught dance and performed in the First Company of the Boston Ballet.
In 1965, a TV Series was created titled “Our New Hampshire” that featured Polly as the Host, and was broadcasted into 4th grade classrooms on WENH -TV Channel 11 for many years. Polly toured the State of NH, presenting reenacted events in history and talking with the Governor and many other people of interest in the state.
Polly also taught 4th Grade History in Salem and Nashua, NH, Bath, ME and Southbridge, MA, and eventually transitioned to Special Education, specializing in learning disabilities associated with Dyslexia.
On April 24, 1960, Polly married Floyd Maurice Baker who was the Nashua YMCA Youth Director. Although the marriage did not last, Polly had many great memories of traveling to Europe and Africa as a youth chaperone for the YMCA alongside Floyd. Her fondest trip was to Ireland, the home of her favorite musical “Brigadoon”. Polly had performed in Brigadoon when it was featured at the Lakes Region Playhouse, and as a tribute, she hand carried a clover seedling back from her Ireland trip. That seedling became a massive clover plant that was in full bloom with beautiful white flowers a half century later and lay at her bedside at her time of passing.
Polly is survived by her niece, Elizabeth Ann “Beth” Cheney of Concord and significant other, Dr. Gary E. Guzy of Contoocook, and her surrogate son, Paul E. Alger of Sturbridge, MA and many dear friends. Polly is predeceased by her Mother, Mildred J Sinclair who died 1996; her sister, Elaine S. Cheney who died in 2003, her Brother in Law, Atty. Thomas P. Cheney who died in 1970, and their daughter ( her niece ) Mary Ellen (Cheney ) Peller who died in 1997.
Family and friends are welcome to attend a Graveside Service which will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 11:30am at Union Cemetery, Academy Street, Laconia, NH.
A private Celebration of Life will follow.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial goes to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.