In Memory

Mary "Polly" Penrose (Colby) - Class Of 1958

Mary Polly Penrose (Colby)

Mary P. "Polly" Colby, age 71, died on Sunday June 17, 2012 in Madison, Wisconsin. 

She was born on May 19, 1941, in New York, the daughter of Stephen B.L.n May 19, 1941, in New York, the daughter of Stephen B.L. Penrose II and Margar

Polly's most cherished role was that of mother and grandmother. She was extremely proud of her children: William (Binks), Fredrick (Rick) and Stephen (Steve).

Polly enjoyed learning throughout her whole life and that passion was extremely obvious in her years as a History teacher at Madison West High School. She hoped to leave her students with a sense of pride in themselves, not just that they could pass a test. To her, knowledge was a journey, not something that was always quantifiable. She found great joy when former students would contact her to share their success stories.

History, both of the world and of her family was of great interest to her. She spent many hours in her retirement learning and documenting her extended family's histories. She was extremely interested to see the influences of her family as it went back through generations. She spent many hours reviewing family photos, letters, and papers both in her possession as well as those found in the National Archives.

Polly was an active volunteer until health issues became more predominant. She was a tour guide for the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI; worker at the Hospice Thrift Store in Madison, WI; and tour guide and usher at the Overture Center in Madison, WI. 

She is preceded into death by her parents, Margaret Shipman Penrose and Stephen B.L. Penrose II and her sister-in-law Elenore Penrose. She is survived by her three sons, Binks (Judy) Colby-George, Rick Colby, and Steve (Genny) Colby; three grandchildren; her sister, Dale Harrell; her brother, Stephen B.L. Penrose III; many nieces and nephews, a large extended family and a large circle of friends. 
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Polly graduated from Claremont High School (Claremont, California) in 1958, and Pomona College in 1962.
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Polly submitted the following to the Pomona College Alumni Mag - 2002:
 
Can it really be 40 years since we graduated from Pomona? I began teaching in a new field only 2 years ago, so I am still feeling like a "young" neophyte. While many younger teachers are considering retirement, I have elected to continue in the classroom until this is no longer any fun.

Upon leaving Pomona we (my former husband Bill Colby and I) came to Madison, Wisconsin, thinking we'd just stay long enough to attend graduate school and then be off to seek our fortune elsewhere. Neither of us has left yet. This town is really an ideal place to live and raise a family. I earned a Masters degree from the University of Wisconsin in History and Education, and after one year of teaching high school history settled down to be a "homemaker" for the next twenty years.

I have 3 delightful sons and 2 adorable grandchildren (aren't they all adorable?) Binks, my oldest son, is a hydro-geologist and computer programmer in Maine, and Steve, my youngest, works in computers here in Madison. My middle son, Rick, is just completing his PhD from Duke in Islamic Studies. He will be teaching Comparative Religion at Miami University of Ohio next fall, continuing the family tradition in academia.

In 1984 I re-entered the teaching field, this time working with students who had learning disabilities. I loved the challenge of helping these kids realize their academic potential, and I cheered as a number of my students graduated from college. However, the field began to change over the years and I left it when excessive paper work and lack of state and federal funding made it almost impossible to work effectively with students. I am now once again teaching U.S. history to high school students and find myself often reflecting on the teachers I had at Pomona: Mrs. Davis, Mr. Learnihan, Mr. Kemble.

I will miss being with you at our 40th but I will be with you in spirit. Madison is a wonderful place to visit so please let me know if you are ever in the area. GO, SAGE HENS!!!