Kathryn "Polly" Yarhouse, Social Activist, 69, of Woodbury died Saturday, April 23, 2011 at her home after a 16 month battle with cancer. She was the beloved wife of Neil E. Yarhouse.

Polly was born May 14, 1941 in Springfield, PA, daughter of the late James Clayton Crew and the late Pearl (Collins) Crew. She was a lifelong passionate supporter of multiple social causes and community activities. She graduated from Gettysburg College in 1963 with a BA in Political Science. Her early career was in insurance and banking in Philadelphia and New York City, and she and Neil moved to Woodbury in 1968. She joined the League of Women Voters in 1969 and served as local president from 1973 to 1977. She served on the Town of Woodbury's Board of Finance from 1977 to 1982 and on the Charter Revision Commission from 1977 to 1978. Polly served on the Woodbury Interfaith Housing Council from 1981 to 1984, and was chairperson of the Democratic Town Committee from 1981 to 1984 and also 1989 to 1990. Polly was a Justice of the Peace in Woodbury beginning in 1988, and during her 23 years in that capacity she married dozens of couples. She worked on a variety of political campaigns in Connecticut and Massachusetts in the 1990s. Polly retired as the Business Manager of the Washington Montessori School in 2001.
Along with her husband, she welcomed students from various foreign exchange programs and enjoyed traveling the world and visiting former students and their families. Polly was a gourmet cook who loved creating wonderful meals and entertaining friends and family in the home she helped renovate after she and Neil purchased it in 1979. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Neil, many cherished friends, her loving daughter Kate and son-in- law David Bragg of Jersey City, NJ, sister Carol Powell of Garnet Valley PA, nephew Mark Skrobanek, wife Kristen, and their children of Mullica Hill, NJ, and niece Anne Tafel, husband Rob and their daughter of Enola, PA.

Memorials: Donations in honor of her life can be made to the Woodbury Scholarship Fund, PO Box 716, Woodbury, CT, 06798.

Cemetery: Brookside Cemetery

Location: Munson-Lovetere Woodbury

Services: A private family service will be held later this year in Rehoboth Beach, DE.

Visitation: There are no calling hours.