HARGROVE, POLLY
Polly Norma Hargrove (Giberson), age 89, of Bath, NB passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2015. Polly was born on July 26, 1925 in Weaver, NB – a small and rural community near Plaster Rock. She was the daughter of James Giberson and Lillian (Holmes) Giberson and had five brothers and sisters: Doris, Jack, Holland, Marie and Mark.
Polly left home at age 13 to attend high school in Bath, NB. It was here that she met her future husband, Bernard and where they enjoyed a happy, loving and successful life together.
Polly graduated as President of her high school class in 1942. After graduation, Polly began working as one of the first female bank tellers at the Bank of Nova Scotia, first in Bath and later, in Truro and Montreal. She and Bernard married when she was 21 and he was 22. After a brief period of working in Montreal, they returned home to start their very large family of 12 children: Gregor was born in 1947, Jennifer in 1949, Basil in 1951, Garfield in 1952, Hilery in 1955, Jaye in 1957, Larry in 1958, Cheryl Lynne in 1961, Jeff in 1962, Darren in 1964, Heidi in 1966 and Jill in 1970.
Her experience at the bank was put to good use over the years as she and Bernard raised their family and operated several small businesses: a contracting firm to help bring water and electricity to homes in rural New Brunswick; selling household appliances and snowmobiles; managing multiple rental properties; and building and operating a private hydro-electric dam on the Monquart stream in Bath. Polly was the ultimate money manager, and kept the large household and businesses running smoothly. She lovingly cooked thousands of delicious and healthy meals for her family and Bernard’s work crew, paid the bills, did the shopping, and supported Bernard and her children in countless small and tremendous ways. She did all this with a smile, with generosity, and with kindness.
Anyone who knew Polly, loved her. She had a very rare and special spirit. She was generous and loving, both in thought and deed. She was kind, warm, welcoming, thoughtful, intelligent and wise. She loved her family unconditionally and each of them felt that love whenever they were near her. She will be sadly missed by her loving husband, Bernard, who shared 68 beautiful married years as her best friend, partner and confidant. Her family will always remember her as the most patient and wonderful mother they could possibly imagine.
Polly was a prolific correspondent and wrote meaningful cards and letters to her large number of family and friends. Polly’s children and grandchildren - and their spouses - could always count on receiving birthday, Valentine, Easter, and Christmas cards in the mail – usually with a cheque inside to treat themselves to something special. Polly loved Christmas, and giving presents all year long was one of her special traits. When asked what she might like for Christmas, a birthday or anniversary, the answer would always be: “Not a thing. Just to have you home will be my present.” She was always happiest when her children, grandchildren and those around her were happy too.
Polly is survived by husband Bernard, sister Doris Thomson of Arnprior, ON, brother Mark Giberson (Diana) of Kingston, NB, daughter Jennifer Oakes of Fredericton, NB (Bill); son Basil Hargrove of Melbourne, Australia; son Garfield Hargrove of Bath, NB (Sandra); son Hilery Hargrove of Plaster Rock, NB; daughter Jaye Hargrove of Bath, NB; son Larry Hargrove of Toronto, ON (Anna); son Jeff Hargrove of Bath, NB (Rose Lee); son Darren Hargrove of Saint John, NB; daughter Heidi Grant of Bath, NB; and daughter Jill Niedermayer of Halifax, NS (Richard). Polly was predeceased by infant daughter Cheryl Lynne in 1961 and eldest son Gregor in 2008.
Polly will also be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her 21 grandchildren: Jeremy and Ben Oakes; Josh and Jana Hargrove and Sommer Fox; Zakary and Levi Hargrove and Emily Nevers; Phoebe Tallman and Hannah Hargrove; Claire and Spencer Hargrove; Sam and Sarah Hargrove; Clay and Craig Hargrove and Shelby DeMerchant; Elias and Avery Grant; and Henry and Stella Niedermayer. Polly also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins that she very fondly regarded.
Polly’s funeral service will be held at L.R. Giberson Funeral Directors in Florenceville-Bristol on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 3:00 pm. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 3 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Wednesday, February 4 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. A private burial will take place at the Pine Tree Cemetery in Bath, NB. Please feel welcome to join Polly’s family following the funeral service at their home at 121 Church Street in Bath.
Donations in Polly’s memory may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or any charity of choice.
The family would like to thank the many friends who have brought food, expressed their condolences, and shared loving remembrances of Polly. Thanks also to members of the United Baptist Church in Bath - where Polly was a long-time member - for providing refreshments for the reception at Polly and Bernard’s home. www.gibersonfuneraldirectors.ca (506) 392-1115