Pauline "Polly" (Donovan) Smith

Smith, Pauline (Donovan), “Polly,” of Milton and Green Harbor (Marshfield), died peacefully on June 26, 2025 in Canton. She is predeceased by her first husband Joseph Smith. Loving mother of Kevin Smith and his wife Joanne (Crowley) Smith of Bridgewater, Patty Smith and her wife Cindy Warren of Chester, VA and Christine Smith and her husband Tim McKenna of Canton. Devoted “Grammy” of Doug, Katie, and Sarah Smith and of Aiden, Siobhan, and Caroline McKenna. She is also survived by her second husband William Lyons.

Daughter of Ambrose Donovan and Katherine (Martin) Donovan, Polly was born and raised in Milton and was a proud graduate of Milton High School, Class of 1951 and of Emmanuel College, Class of 1955, where she made lifelong friends. She and her friends were close and got together often, whether it be for their 10Gs investment club, travels to San Francisco, Naples FL, France and Italy or their yearly week on Martha’s Vineyard.

Polly began her career teaching first grade at Pierce Elementary School in Milton, later continuing to teach in Connecticut after marrying. She paused her professional life to raise her children, returning to the workforce as a substitute teacher in Milton and then as a nursery school teacher at Young World in Weymouth, before switching career paths and becoming assistant to the Director of Nursing at St. Margaret’s Hospital.

Polly’s career later took her to New England Baptist Hospital, where she began in Human Resources and rose to become a nurse recruiter. After a few years serving as Assistant Director of Human Resources at Anna Jaques Hospital in Newburyport, she returned to New England Baptist Hospital as Director of Human Resources, a role she held for several years and where she formed many lasting friendships.

After retirement from hospital administration, she returned to her teaching roots and taught pre-school part time at the Gridley School in Canton.

She was a dedicated Girl Scout leader, organizing camping adventures and monthly bowling outings for her troop. Known for her warmth, humor, and outgoing nature, Polly made friends wherever she went, including at the Marshfield Senior Center and later at Cornerstone at Canton. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Mary of the Hills in Milton, where she taught CCD, was a Eucharistic Minister and was active in the church community.

Polly had a deep love for the beach and treasured time spent with family at her Green Harbor home—fondly known as “the cottage.” She retired to Green Harbor and, not being one to sit still, she remained active by volunteering at the Marshfield Senior Center and as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Assumption Church in Green Harbor. She never stopped learning, taking lifelong learning classes at UMass Boston.

Polly remained active even in her later years at Cornerstone at Canton where she enjoyed painting, music and any other activity – even earning her team a “gold medal” in their beach ball volleyball “Olympic” tournament. She wore her gold medal proudly and was very proud of her artwork.

Polly will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, husband, extended family, and many dear friends. Her family sends special thanks to the staff at Cornerstone at Canton and at the Hellenic Nursing Home who provided her with such love and attention in her later years.

Visiting hours at the Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home 455 Washington St. Canton Tuesday July 1st from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass at St. Oscar Romero Church, Canton Wednesday morning July 2nd at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Milton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org

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