Christine Polak

Middleburgh: Christine E. Polak, 70, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at her home on Middle Fort Road, surrounded by family members, following a two year battle with cancer.

Born in Albany on June 6, 1945, she was the daughter of John E. and Barbara J. (Moot) Palmer.

On Dec. 22, 1979 she married her loving husband, Jerome A."Jerry" Polak. She is also survived by her children from a previous marriage: Stan (Amy) McLean of Attleboro, MA, Melanie (Will) Laraway and Bill (Linda) McLean of Middleburgh, her grandchildren: "Little" Will Laraway of Middleburgh, Carson Laraway of Clifton Park and Isabella Emily Castle of Berne. Also surviving are her siblings: Jane P. (Skip) McPhee of Sun City, CA and John E. (Ann) Palmer of Asheboro, NC, her niece: Susan Sawyers of Murietta, CA and two great nephews. In addition to her family, Chris will be missed by many loving friends, especially her barn buddies.

Well known for her beautiful quilts, she was inducted into the Quilter's Hall of Fame in 1989. Chris was also a lifelong horsewoman and is survived by her beloved Tiki. She was a lifelong member of the Century Club. Chris worked as greenhouse manager at the Mill Farm until its closing.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St. Middleburgh, NY with Rev. Carol Coltrain of the Huntersland United Methodist Church officiating. Inurnment will follow in Middleburgh Cemetery.
Family and friends are also invited to a period of visitation to be held at the funeral home on Friday December 4, 2015 from 6:00-8:00pm.

Chris and Dick Hanson took great pride in starting the hanging basket tradition in Middleburgh. Memorial contributions in her memory can be made to the Century Club Hanging Basket Fund, P.O. Box 715 Middleburgh, N.Y. 12122.

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