Mary Polkinghorn

Mary Carol Polkinghorn, 81, of Idaho Falls, Idaho passed away on May 23, 2016, at The Gardens in Rigby, Idaho.

Carol was born December 25, 1934 in Butte, Montana to John Joseph Grace and Dorothy Agnes Nugent. She grew up in Butte, attended Saint Joseph School, and graduated from Girls Central High in 1953. Following graduation from high school, she attended Columbus School of Nursing in Great Falls, Montana. Upon graduation, she passed the State Boards and became a Registered Nurse.

On graduation day William Phillip Polkinghorn proposed, and they were married on September 8, 1956 at Saint Joseph Church in Butte, Montana. Carol worked as a Registered Nurse in Bozeman while Phil attended Montana State College.

Over the years Carol and Phil lived in Florida, Iowa, and California before finally settling in Idaho Falls, Idaho with their three children. Carol enjoyed camping, fishing, and backpacking in the outdoors. She also enjoyed quilting, picking huckleberries, and canning.

In 1972 Carol started working at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home. For most of her career at the Good Samaritan, Carol was the Director of Nursing. Carol had a gift for working with the elderly and was well loved by the staff and residents. Her favorite saying was, "This too shall pass!" She was voted the first Employee of the Year by the Good Samaritan staff. This was a very meaningful award to her.

After the kids left, Carol enjoyed traveling throughout the United States on old car tours and riding cross-country on motorcycles with Phil. Some of her favorite activities were crocheting, gardening, reading, and shopping for antiques. Carol especially enjoyed her grandchildren’s visits. They loved going to the zoo, swimming at Heise, having barbecues, and watching fireworks.

Carol and Phil would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September. As Carol recorded before her passing, "Phil has been a constant in my life, and I'm still relying on him."

Carol is survived by her husband, William Phillip Polkinghorn of Idaho Falls, Idaho; her daughter, Terri (John) Walton of Fruitland, Idaho; her two sons, Phillip Polkinghorn of Portland, Oregon and David (Hien) Polkinghorn of University Place, Washington; brother Jack (Marilyn) Grace of Butte, Montana; and her 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, May 28, 2016 at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge Avenue) in Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends on Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 A.M. before the service at the funeral home.

Additional Services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Butte, Montana on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at 10:00 A.M.

The burial will be held at the Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery near Anaconda, Montana. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com

Funeral Services will be held