Mary "Polly" (Elder) Palchefsky

Mary “Polly” Palchefsky, age 93, passed peacefully on April 1, 2021, in Catonsville, MD. Polly was born Mary Louise Elder in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Cambria High School in 1946, and went on to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Foreign Languages at Grove City College. After graduating college, Polly was hired by NSA and trained to be a Russian Linguist. It was there that she met her beloved Mike. Polly and Mike fell in love and married in 1956. Polly left NSA to stay home and raise a family. She and Mike settled in Laurel, Maryland and had two children, Kirk and Ann.

In 1967, with both children in school full-time, Polly went back to school, and received her teaching credential to teach the Montessori method. She was immediately hired at the Julia Brown Montessori School in Laurel. Polly taught at the Montessori school for 28 years. After retiring, Polly continued to teach as a volunteer at local elementary schools. Polly was also an active member of the Laurel Presbyterian Church for many years.

Polly was preceded in death by her parents John L and Elsie Elder, siblings Jack Elder, Sally Baumgardner, and Jane Wood, and her husband of 57 years, Michael Palchefsky.

Polly is survived by her son, Kirk Palchefsky (and his wife Cristina) of Elkridge, MD, her daughter Ann Palchefsky of Elkridge, MD, and her grandchildren, Michael and Hanna Palchefsky of Elkridge, MD, as well as many nieces and nephews very special to her.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Laurel Presbyterian Church. 

Memorial Service will be held at 3:00pm on May 01, 2021 at the Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. Chapel, 313 Talbott Ave. Laurel, Maryland 20707.  

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