Mary Polen

On Sunday, September 23, 2007, Mary Lou Polen lost her 2 year battle with lung cancer and passed away at her home on Peabody Street in Manassas, VA with her family present. Mary Lou Trimmer Polen was born on June 7, 1935 in the town of Manassas at the home of her late grandparents, Will (Big Boy) and Mary F. Compton to Eloise Compton Trimmer Branch and Charles Caskie Trimmer. Mary Lou attended private kindergarten at the Temple School in Manassas where her mother taught music and dance. She also attended Bennett Elementary School and graduated from Osbourn Senior High School in 1952. Mary Lou played the piano in an array of school events and was a piano accompanist for private parties, local fashion and variety shows. She was the third generation organist where she volunteered her services for over 30 years to All Saints Catholic Church. At All Saints she was Baptized, Confirmed and on September 11, 1954 married S. Warren Polen. In the 1970's, Mary Lou was an assistant to the late Ester McLaughlin Miller at her "Little Angels Kindergarten". She was also R.C. Haydon Elementary School's first crossing guard when it opened in 1979. Mary Lou also served on the Osbourn Senior High School (OHS) alumni Board, the Sudley Club Board of Directors, and the All Saints PTO and for the past ten years was a part time sales associate for Peebles Department Store. Her husband, Warren, of 53 years, her six children, 14 grandchildren, her sister, Georgene Branch Burton of Fredericksburg, VA, and her brother, William F. Branch of Richmond, VA along with many nieces and nephews survives Mary Lou. Mary Lou was the mother of six: Ronda Polen Brown of Manassas, Michael Warren Polen and wife Renee of Charlottesville, Lisa Polen Rutledge and husband Talmadge of Front Royal, David Morris Polen and wife JoAnn Goessman Polen of Manassas, Alison Polen Hart and husband Larry of New York and Amy Polen Daniels and husband Danny of Warrenton. She was also "Nana" to 14 grandchildren: Matthew Brown of Manassas, William Brown of Manassas, Christopher Polen of Charlottesville, Creed Polen of Charlottesville, Blake Hart of New York, Mark Polen of Manassas, Samantha Hart of New York, Melissa Polen of Manassas, Patrick Hart of New York, Brooke Daniels of Warrenton, Ryan Daniels of Warrenton, Madison Daniels of Warrenton, Mical Tawney of Charlottesville and Erin Tawney of Charlottesville. The family will receive friends at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, Virginia on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:00 A.M. Thursday, September 27 at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas. Interment will follow at National Memorial Park, Falls Church, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saints Catholic Church, Capital Hospice or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

Mary Polen

June 7, 1935 - September 23, 2007