Pauline (Polly) Carol Magargal, registered nurse
Pauline (Polly) Carol T. Joyce Magargal, 80, of Lewes, passed away peacefully in her home Friday, Oct. 13, 2017. She was born Jan. 2, 1937, in Wilmington, daughter of the late Harris and Mary Joyce.
Polly was a beloved wife, mother and grandmother. Growing up, her childhood was narrated by the voices of radio hosts covering Yankees games, ultimately leading to her persisting affinity for Yogi Berra. Upon graduating from Henry C. Conrad High in 1954, Polly continued her education at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington and became a registered nurse in 1957. Her passion for education and learning spanned decades, earning her both a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Delaware in 1979 and an M.S. in Nursing from Widener University in 1984. Polly was a lifelong caretaker with a remarkable 60-year nursing career, bringing her to Wilmington's St. Francis Hospital, Medical Center of Delaware, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware, Newark's Christiana Care VNA, and Cape Henlopen School District.
Outside of her career as a nurse, Polly was a contributor to medical journals, an avid athlete and outdoors enthusiast, community activist, and talented writer. She spent her free time volunteering at local events, practicing yoga and tai chi, quilting, swimming, gardening, reading, painting and writing. Her love of animals, nature and organic gardening grew from her time living on their Landenberg, Pa., farm, which she and her late husband Howard renovated with their family in 1978, taking a piece of history and making it their own.
An especially talented poet, she participated regularly in local writers' guilds, poetry readings and workshops, feeling that writing was her way of leaving behind a record of what she found most important to her: her loves, dreams, and fears. Traveling, the ocean and family all held a special place in her heart.
Polly is survived by her two sons, Scott Magargal of Oxford, Pa., and Brian Magargal of Hockessin; a daughter, Amy Campagnone of Milton; eight grandchildren: Taylor, Alli, Colton, Liam, and Clare Magargal, and Ben, Tucker, and Christian Campagnone.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Oct.18, at 7 p.m., at Parsell Funeral Home, 16961 Kings Hwy, Lewes, where friends and family may begin visiting at 6 p.m. A Mass will be held at Resurrection Parish, 3000 Videre Drive, Wilmington, at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 19, followed by graveside service at All Saints’ Cemetery in Wilmington, and a luncheon.
The family wishes to extend its deepest gratitude to friends, the supportive Lewes family, the fifth-floor nursing staff at Beebe hospital, and the compassionate caretakers at Delaware Hospice for the incredible companionship, support and care Polly was provided in her time of greatest need.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations and contributions be sent to the Cancer Support Community Delaware's annual Pink Affair event. Donations can be made online at www.cancersupportdelaware.org or send to 18947 John J. Williams Highway, Suite 312, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 with "attention Pink Affair" included.
Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Please visit Polly's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
