Obituary of Polly Ann Arehart

WARRENSBURG: Polly Ann Arehart passed away in the early morning hours on Monday, June 17, 2024 after a long, brave fight against ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by her loving children. 

Polly was born on October 13, 1941 in Cape Vincent, NY to the late John and Doris (McDermott) Countryman. Polly married Jack Arehart on December 7, 1963. They both graduated Warrensburg Central School in 1958 and were voted The Best-Looking couple their senior year of high school. After Polly graduated from Keuka College as an RN and Jack had finished his service in the US Air Force, they returned to Warrensburg where they raised 8 children. Together they owned Thousand Acres Ranch Resort. Polly eventually went to work at Catholic Charities Community Maternity Service, a job she was extremely proud of.

Polly could be found walking around town with some of her best friends and swimming with those same friends all summer. Polly had strong faith in our Lord and was a lifelong member of the Church of the Holy Cross of Warrensburg. 

As children, our mother would pack all of us up in the station wagon and take us skiing at Hickory Hill every weekend during the winter, and to Echo Lake for swim lessons and gymnastics in the summer. We always came first in her life. As we started families of our own, her grandchildren became the lights in her life. Polly and Jack attended as many sporting and school events possible, even flying in Jack’s airplane to Oneonta to watch her Delhi grandchildren play sports. 

Polly is predeceased by her husband Jack of 53 years, her two sons, Patrick and Christian along with her nephew Chris. 

Surviving Polly are her two sisters, Jan (John) Higgins and Gretchan Conaway as well as her brother Jac (Carol) Countryman; six children Kelly (John) Liddle, Kimberly (John) Shephard, Todd (Diana) Arehart, Hilary Watkins, Jonathan Arehart and Jeremy (Michelle) Arehart and Matthew Arehart; Polly was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She also had seven nieces and nephews that she loved very much. 

We want to express our deepest gratitude To Dr. Darcy Gaiotti-Grubbs, and Nicole Slovik PA at the Glens Falls Cancer Center for the amazing care and love they gave our mother.  High Peaks Hospice - Holly, Joanne and Tim making the last few weeks of our mother’s life more comfortable. We would also like to thank Kirsten and Courtney, Polly’s nieces who gave her so much support when we couldn’t be there and also when we could be. Their undying love for their aunt Polly was simply beautiful.

Finally, to all her many friends that came to visit her daily over the last 2.5 years, giving her rides to treatments, bringing food, and then sitting by her bed in her final weeks. It was a true testament to the kind of great friend she really was. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of the following: Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 3764 Main Street Warrensburg, NY 12885; High Peaks Hospice, 1247 Dix Ave, Hudson Falls, NY 12839; St Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Friends are invited to call on Polly’s family from Noon – 2pm, Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY. A funeral service will be held following visitation at 2pm with Father Jason Radcliff officiating.

Burial will be followed in Warrensburg Cemetery, Hudson St., Warrensburg, NY.

Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online condolences, guest book and directions.