Polly Katherine Wise

Polly Katherine Wise, age 60, passed away on March 7th at home in Plymouth, Michigan. She was one of nine children and graduated from Petoskey High School in 1980. While at Petoskey High School, Polly was a member of color guard in the Midshipmen Jr. Drum and Bugle Corp, traveling all over Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio with her fellow Corp members. She attended North Central Michigan College, and earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Arizona State University. Polly had unlimited time for children, the elderly, the disabled, and animals – especially dogs! It was common to find her in creative play with kids, or deep conversations with adults about health, nature, art, and music. An avid reader, she enjoyed sharing new information with those who she knew would be interested. Polly and fun went together, and she would grab your hand to dance at the sound of any upbeat music – especially Motown, rock & roll, oldies, or swing. Her sparkling eyes and sweet smile filled a room! She was also the Best Caregiver: empathetic, patient, calm, and attentive to every detail. At L’Arche Cleveland, a home for adults with developmental disabilities, Polly was a House Manager for two L’Arche homes for several years. She had an extraordinary gift of working with the handicapped. As one of nine children, Polly practiced selflessness, being a mediator, and always bringing out the best in everyone. She was full of joy, laughter, silliness and had a youthfulness about her. She attended sporting, theater events and art shows of all the family members, always offering support and encouragement. Polly was service-oriented her whole life: serving at Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, and at Michigan’s Pine Hills Girls Camp – willing to wash the dishes as well as performing hilarious stage skits. Her strong faith was the underlying support to everything she did in her life. Polly is predeceased by her parents, Richard (Dick) and Betty Wise, nieces Hope Benedetto, Brooke Wise, and Faith Wise. She is survived by siblings John (Annie) Wise, Kevin (Carol) Wise, Chris (Lynn) Wise, Gayle (Bruce) Campbell, Ric (Beverly) Wise, Dana (Hank) Benedetto, Patrick (Margie Marks) Wise, and Tim (Trish) Wise, and 22 nieces and nephews, and 42 great-nieces and great-nephews. There will be a Memorial Gathering on Monday, March 13th at 9:30 AM until the 10:30 AM Funeral Mass at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 411 Florence Street, Ypsilanti, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to L'Arche USA, 11811 Shaker Blvd., Suite 116, Cleveland, OH 44120. AFSP (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) Attn: M. Swyer, 199 Water Street, 11th Floor; New York, NY 10038. Michigan Humane Society, 30300 Telegraph Road, Suite 220, Bingham Farms, MI 48025-4507. Arrangements entrusted to Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, Plymouth. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

Polly Katherine Wise

October 12, 1962 - March 7, 2023