Polly lived a long, full life. She leaves behind her two sons, Douglas Levee (Mary) and Gino Marliani (Nicole) whom she much loved and admired. Doug contributed her first grandchild Minette (Damir), who eventually added her great-grandchildren Alana and Christian to the family. Gino and his wife Nicole contributed grandchildren Nico and Gianna. The grands and great-grands were a special joy to her. 

   Polly was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved with her parents to Connecticut and finally landed in California. She went to UCLA for two years and would tell people she was a “typical sorority girl”. She earned a BA from UC Berkeley with a triple major in English, Art and Theater and was fortunate to eventually teach all three subjects at the secondary level. She also earned an MA from the University of the Pacific. She and husband Butch moved to Manteca, CA in 1964, and she began what she called her "professional volunteer" life with a term on the Manteca Planning Commission. She became very interested in historical preservation while volunteering at the McHenry Mansion in Modesto and continued that interest preserving and displaying textiles while on the Board of the Manteca Historical Society Museum. For many years she did graphic design on the Kindred Arts Board. She also was involved in the Manteca Community Art Center, A.A.U.W. and the Unitarian Universalist Church. During all these activities she spent two years at Delta College learning to use the potter’s wheel and after several years she felt she could make pieces she was proud of.  She and Butch enjoyed traveling and were fortunate to take several trips abroad. Her favorite destination was Ireland. Theater and films were a continuing pleasure.

   The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to The American Association of University Women (www.aauw.org/about/), or to the charity of your choice. 

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin

Saturday, March 9, 2024