Pauline ‘Polly’ Davee Hitchings, 91, former long-time Darienite was an active volunteer

Tuesday, 03 November 2009 09:34

Pauline “Polly” Davee Hitchings of Stamford, a former 44-year Darien resident and active volunteer, died Sunday, Oct. 25, in Stamford. Mrs. Hitchings, 91, was the wife of the late George P. Hitchings for 64 years.

Born in 1917 in Orono, Maine, she was the daughter of the late Everett and Sarah Davee.

Mrs. Hitchings received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine in 1939, where she was a proud member of Tri-Delta sorority. Her father, a member of the University of Maine mechanical engineering faculty, built a cottage on Sebec Lake in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, in 1916. Mrs. Hitchings spent all or part of every summer there, first with her parents and older brother, and then with her husband, George, and their three daughters.

She was a long-time volunteer with the Darien Community Association, in particular at the DCA Thrift Shop and as a board member of the Book Group. She loved golf and the beach, and was a member of the Tokeneke Club and a former member of the Silvermine Golf Club. She also served on the Women’s Organization at the First Congregational Church, remained active with the local chapter of Tri-Delta sorority, and was a former Girl Scout leader.

Extended family members, many of whom still summer at Sebec Lake, and friends will remember Mrs. Hitchings most for her “selfless devotion” to family and for her volunteering efforts.

Mrs. Hitchings is survived by her daughter, Diane Hitchings, of Stamford; two grandchildren, Cindy Mantai of Buffalo, N.Y., and Michael Mantai of Columbia, S.C.; and three great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was predeceased by two daughters, Marion H. Mantai and Nancy Hitchings, and a brother, Lawrence Davee.

A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church, 14 Brookside Road, Darien on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 2. Burial will take place at Lee Cemetery in Dover-Foxcroft.

Donations may be sent to the Everett W. Davee Scholarship Fund, University of Maine Foundation, Two Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792 (checks to “University of Maine Foundation”) or Friends of Felines, P.O. Box 8147, Stamford, CT 06905.