Obituary of Pauline Seely Cosyns

Pauline “Polly” Seely Cosyns, nee Parker, age 98, of Tucson, AZ, was born on October 6, 1924 in Chesterfield, IL to Fanny and Fred Parker. She moved to Meadville, PA in 1937 and was a “Senior Six” member of the graduating class of 1942 at Meadville HS. Polly completed an exective secretarial curriculum at Gregg Business College in Chicago, IL in 1943. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude (1959) and her Master of Arts degree in Education (1968) from Allegheny College in Meadville. Polly had diverse career experiences as a proficient legal secretary, a devoted high school social studies teacher, and a successful broker of real estate on Sanibel Island, FL. She retired from the latter in 2000 and in 2003 moved to Tucson, AZ where she volunteered and was a member of the Tucson Botanical Gardens. She was preceded in death by husbands Howard L. Cosyns (2015) and Frederick Seely (1981). She was also a loving sister to older brother Ryland S. Parker (deceased, 2002). Polly is survived by a large extended family scattered across the United States and Europe. Her family was the centerpiece of her life, and Polly made a concerted effort to maintain contact with each and every reltive near and far including former students she corresponded with over the years. Polly lived a long, fulfilling life and was prepared to embark on a new journey. She was kind, generous and a friend to many. She had a sharp wit, great sense of humor and enjoyed her morning coffee, the NY Times, baseball, and conversaSon, especially when it turned to family dynamics and history. She was a world traveler and lover of the arts. Polly was an impassioned advocate of eduction as she realized how much it meant for her to get her advanced degrees later in life than most. She was proud of her family and her humble beginnings on a farm in rural Illinois. An avid reader and writer, she diligently maintained a daily journal for more than 80 years! Known for her beautiful penmanship and use of formal language, receiving a card from Polly on a special occasion reminded you how intelligent, caring and wonderful she truly was. Independent to the very end, she traveled to Europe at 92 and continued driving the streets of Tucson until age 97. An inspiration to many and a role model for all, she will be dearly missed by her family. We are eternally grateful she lived for so many years enabling us to create and treasure the wonderful moments spent with her. A service will be held at a later date in Meadville, PA. Memorial contributions may be made to the Frederick F. Seely Humanities Fund of Allegheny College, Meadville, PA or to the Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712