Former Chesterton resident Pauline “Polly” Mae McBride Joyce of LaPorte died
on Jan. 1, 2010. She was 86.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Edward McBride, and her
second husband, Harold K. Joyce.
She is survived by sister, Mary Messina of Valparaiso; sons Jack McBride
(wife Jacky) of LaPorte and Scott McBride (Cyndi) of Valparaiso; grandsons
Jason McBride (Kelly) of Austin, Texas, Eric McBride of LaPorte and Matthew
McBride of Indianapolis; granddaughter Jennifer Rykard (husband Joshua) of
Valparaiso; great grandchildren Ben Rykard and Kate Rykard; nieces Donna
Test (Brian), Cynthia Kennard, Sandra Messina; and nephew Martin Messina
(Tamara).
Born in Morocco, Ind., she was the daughter of Herbert and Claire Spitler.
Even as a small child, Polly loved to dance and learned to tap dance at a
young age. Her family moved to Gary, where Polly graduated from Emerson High
School in 1941. She joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Wave from Dec. 7,
1941 until September, 1945 during WWII. She also served in the United States
Naval Communication Intelligence Organization. After leaving the military
with an honorable discharge, she soon met her husband, John Edward McBride,
whom she married in October, 1946. Polly and John took up ball room dancing
and enjoyed traveling to Chicago to the Aragon Ball Room on a fairly regular
basis. They lived in Michigan City where they had their first son, Jack, in
1949. A few years later, they moved to Chesterton, where they had their
second son, Scott, in 1952. Polly and John were extremely active in the
Chesterton United Methodist Church for more than 30 years. Polly played the
drums as well as danced and often played drums with a small ensemble in
church projects. She was also an accomplished oil and watercolor painter who
taught art classes at Chesterton High School and at the Portage Boys Club.
John McBride passed away in 1984. Polly continued to be active in her church
and taught Sunday School for many years. She met the new Methodist pastor in
Chesterton, Harold K. Joyce, and they were married on May 3, 1986. They
shared a love of travel and visited many countries including Israel,
Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Germany, and Italy. In 1988, they moved
to Tucson, Arizona before moving to Green Valley, Ariz., where Harold
retired from the ministry before passing away on July 4, 1997. In 2007,
Polly moved back to the area to be closer to her children, grandchildren,
great grandchildren and her sister.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6,
2010 at the Edmonds and Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. A
private family service will be held following visitation on Wednesday.
Interment of ashes will be held at a later date in Chesterton Cemetery.
www.ee-fh.com