Obituary, Visitation & Funeral Information

Polly R. Mulligan, age 96, of Bellbrook, passed away on Sunday, May 30th, 2021.

Polly was born on December 1st, 1924 to Estella (Schatzman) and Lester H. Rogers. Polly grew up on a farm with a water pump and no electric. Growing up, she was an absolute daddy's girl and enjoyed helping with all the gardening and farm work. Polly worked for Signal Corps in Dayton and also had a job selling ads for the Journal Herald. She met her husband while she was on a double date at a pool hall after the war. She remembered his long eyelashes and blue eyes, and even though he wasn't her date that night, it didn't stay that way for long. They were married for 44 years, until he passed in August of 1990.

Polly wasn't the typical mid-century mother. She was curious, and loved to learn. She wanted her kids to learn through their own messy curiosity and cultivated the perfect environment for them to do so. She was a girl and boy scout leader, and loved trying art of all different kinds, including stained glass and pottery. Her Joe Froggers ginger-molasses cookies the size of saucers were legendary. She was a lifelong gardener, of both food and flowers, and even belonged to the Plain Dirt Club. She and her husband, Francis Mulligan, loved to fish in Arkansas, and enjoyed the upkeep and natural rhythms of their farm.

She was also a member of the Bellbrook United Methodist Church for many years. She taught Sunday School and played piano, because she had a heart for serving and loving others. She used to carry bags of hats, gloves, and flannels around with her in case she ran into someone who had a need.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Francis P Mulligan, sons, Michael Patrick Mulligan and Timothy Rogers Mulligan, son-in-law Ira W. McKee, and her brothers, John and Lester Rogers. Polly is survived by her daughters, Stephanie McKee and Adrienne (Paul) DuRant. She is also survived by her grandchildren Robin F. McKee, Mark W. (Tammy) McKee, Ira Christopher (Charlotte) McKee and Sarah J. Mulligan, and 4 great-grandchildren.

To help the family celebrate her life, you are invited to Polly's Graveside Service on Tuesday, June 8th, 2021, at 11:00 am at Bellbrook Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to SICSA (8172 Washington Church Rd, Washington Township, OH 45458), Greene County Humane Society (187 Bellbrook Ave, Xenia, OH 45385), Literacy Council of Montgomery County (21 Maryland Avenue, Suite 320, Rockville, MD 20850), or Winters Library (57 W Franklin St, Bellbrook, OH 45305). You are welcome to write a condolence, plant a tree, share a story, or upload a picture on Polly's Book of Memories at www.ConnerAndKoch.com.

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