Published June 7, 2019
HAVERHILL — Ethel Louise (Sentner) Polley, 84, a resident of Haverhill and formerly longtime of Melrose, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 31, 2019.
Ethel was born in Melrose on February 13, 1935, one of seven children of the late William C. Sentner and Sadie H. (MacWilliams) Sentner. Ethel graduated from Melrose High School with the Class of 1954. She resided in Melrose with her husband Burton Simmons while raising their four children. Ethel worked in banking for over 30 years in the Boston area holding various positions throughout her career.
Ethel’s life centered around her family. With her young family, she enjoyed many summer camping trips in their pop-up trailer throughout New England, Ohio and New York. Ethel enjoyed returning to her family’s roots on Prince Edward Island, Canada. With an appreciation for the outdoors, Ethel enjoyed many summer trips to Lake Ossipee in New Hampshire to spend time with her sisters and Kezar Lake in Maine as well as time at the beach house in Salisbury with family. She always held Saturday night dinners with her parents for “franks and beans” close to her heart.
A nearly lifelong resident of Melrose, Ethel was a longtime member of the Melrose Church of the Nazarene who loved the gospel music and the old hymns. She was an enthusiastic Boston sports fan who enjoyed rooting for the Red Sox and Patriots.
Later in life, after her marriage to Philip Polley, Ethel found great joy in spending Memorial Day through Labor Day at their house on Lake Winnipesaukee and having her family come visit for boating, or relaxing in the outdoors.
Ethel always kept people on their toes with her quick wit and sharp sense of humor. A dedicated mother and grandmother, she had a big heart and was a great listener. Above all, her family was most important and she was at her happiest when surrounded by her family. She will be deeply missed, but always lovingly remembered.
Ethel was the beloved wife of the late Philip E. Polley. Devoted mother of Greg W. Simmons and his wife Terry of Hingham, David M. Simmons and his wife Debra of Plaistow, N.H., Laurie S. Lynch and her husband David of Haverhill, and Stephanie A. Wright and her husband Jack of Somersworth, N.H. Dear sister of Cynthia Way and her husband Gerald of Mount Airy, Md., Vivian Craig and her husband Thomas of Wilmington, and the late Helen Canning and her late husband Edward, the late Janie “Lilas” Cokkinos and her late husband Charles, the late Lester Sentner and his late wife Virginia, and the late David Sentner. Loving grandmother of Emily, Stephen, Alexa, and Courtney Simmons, Samantha and Joshua Lynch, and Brett and Ashley Wright. Former wife of Burton Simmons of Port St. Lucie, Fla. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Ethel’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Tuesday, June 4 and for her funeral service at the Melrose Church of the Nazarene on Wednesday. Interment at Wyoming Cemetery, Melrose. Gifts in Ethel’s memory may be made to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA 01830. For online tribute or directions, RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
