Florence “Polly” E. Packard

SHERMAN – On Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, Florence “Polly” E. Packard, loving wife and devoted mother of four children, passed away at the age of 92.

Polly was born on Jan. 14, 1929, in Buckfield to Charles and Leona Sanborn. She grew up in Buckfield with her parents and siblings Clarence Sanborn, Cora Cooper (Sanborn), Elva Sturtevant (Sanborn) and half-brother, Vernon Damon.

Polly met the love of her life, Edward V. Packard, at a local dance and they wed on Oct. 25, 1947. Polly and Ed had four children, Clarice Tucker (Packard), Stephen Packard, Linda Kyllonen (Packard) and Jeffery Packard.

Polly worked at Withington sled factory and C.B. Cummings wood products factory and then at Buckfield High School’s cafeteria in her early years. She later helped run the family farm in Buckfield when Ed took it over from her father. After farming in Buckfield for several years, Polly and Ed moved to Sherman Mills in 1975. There, they ran a dairy farm for another 15 years and lived out their retirement.

Polly is remembered by all who knew her as a sweet, yet stubborn, lady. She was an excellent cook, a hard worker and tough as nails although slight in frame. She continued to help at the farm (run by her daughter, Linda, and son-in-law Galen Desrosier) until her final days.

She loved music, dancing, hosting holiday parties, maintaining an immaculate garden and watching her beloved Red Sox. Both Polly and Ed especially enjoyed times spent with Barbara and Franklin Roy (Ed’s half-brother) and they made countless memories together.

Polly also enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow and she loved spoiling them. It was not often that she said “No.” She was blessed with 14 great-grandchildren and delighted in seeing them and hearing about their endeavors.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; her husband; and grandchild, Calvin Desrosier.

She is survived by her four children; eight grandchildren, Lisa Anderson, Jennifer Therriault, Jeremy Kyllonen, Jill Stevens, Darcy Cole, Travis Desrosier and Amanda Desrosier; and 14 great-grandchildren, Gabrielle Therriault, Alyssa Therriault, Dylan Kyllonen, Jacob Anderson, Hannah Kyllonen, Ryan Anderson, Quintin Heath, Samantha Desrosier, Jalyn Stevens, Addison Heath, Caleb Desrosier, Alex Stevens, Tucker Cole and Reese Cole.

Life will not be the same without her – our Mom, Grammy, friend.