Pauline "Polly" Bryans

Pauline “Polly” Nancy Bryans, 84, passed away peacefully at home on January 4, 2022. Born in Elmira, New York, to Raymond and Norma Lou Blair, Polly was a graduate of the Elmira Free Academy and Columbia University’s School of Nursing where she pledged Sigma Theta Tau.

After three years, Polly moved to Denver, where she accepted an advanced RN position at the Rocky Mountain Osteopathy Hospital. It was in Denver that she met the love of her life, David M. Bryans. They were married in Denver in 1967 and enjoyed 48 wonderful years together until David’s passing in 2015.

Intelligent and curious, Polly was a woman of many interests, including gardening, reading, art, antiques and travel, all of which she shared with David. Passionate about animals, she was a lifelong contributor to many animal welfare organizations and adopted many cats over the years that found their way into her garden, home, and heart. At home in nature, she befriended and fed the wildlife in her garden. She was a certified PADI SCUBA diver and enjoyed diving in the Caribbean with her husband. Always up for an adventure, they also explored much of Europe and the United States, with a special fondness for the art scenes in Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the San Francisco Bay Area of California.

Polly was a kind, caring, charitable soul with a sharp wit and zest for life. She was always looking after the wellbeing of those around her and was known as a vocal advocate for the other residents where she lived. She was well loved by the staff, as well. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Polly is survived by her brother, William E. Blair (Pat), nephews Steven Blair (Haley) and Richard W. Bryans, nieces Sandra Ostrau (Mark), Bridget Skjordahl (Marty), Katy Mount (John), Peggy Bryans, Virginia Reiman (Scott), and Beth Bryans (John), grandnieces, grandnephews, and her sweet cat, Dolly, who has been lovingly adopted by a family member.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband David, and her feline companions Fooie, Fettie, Millhouse Mouse, Bummer, Fatty Four Feed (aka Bob), Ding Ling, Pee Wee, Shadow, Snoop Dog, Beauregard (aka Bean), and Pretty Boy Floyd.