Pauline “Polly” Hackett

October 14, 2022

It is with great sadness that the Hackett family announces the passing of Pauline H. Hackett on October 14th, 2022. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 3, 1927, to Aaron Heber & Pauline (Lang) Helt, Pauline grew up there and in Dana, Indiana, and graduated from Dana High School in 1945.  She attended Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana where she majored in English and history in addition to studying drama, graduating in 1949. It is here she met her future husband Charles “Chick” Hackett.  They were married in December of 1950.  Together they went on to raise 4 children and stayed married for 67 years only parting ways upon Chick’s death in 2018.

A teacher, writer and poet, Polly taught and was a substitute teacher in various school systems in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Green Bay and Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.  She was a reporter for the Wauwatosa News-Times, feature writer for the Frankfort (IN) Times and an administrative assistant for the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Center for Great Lakes Studies), Indiana Public Utilities Commission, and American Legion.  She was also a literacy tutor and engaged in many civic and religious volunteer activities.

Visitation and Services

Services to be held Saturday November 19th at 11 am at the Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church (1529 Wauwatosa Avenue, Wauwatosa). Polly will be interned in Helt's Prairie cemetery in Hillsdale, Indiana next to her husband Chick and near many generations of her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to Frankfort (Indiana) Community Public Library Family Literacy Program (https://myfcpl.org/explore/literacy/), the Waukesha Public Library (https://waukeshapubliclibrary.org/friends_donate-to-the-friends/), or the BrightFocus Foundation (https://www.brightfocus.org).

Survived by:

her children: Jeffrey (Laurie Druse), Holly (Todd) Belsey, Brian (Janet Dea) and Craig (Diane) Hackett. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Ann Clara Hackett, Mark, Danny, and Bryan Hackett, Christine (Belsey) Wolf, Dana Belsey, Nina and Ben Hackett, and great granddaughter Grace Ella Marie Hackett.

Preceded by:

In addition to her husband Polly is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Jeanne (Granville) Ward and Mary Alice (John) Nelson and brothers Allen (Martha) Helt and Lang (Evelyn) Helt.

Condolences

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4 Condolences for “Pauline “Polly” Hackett”

  1. Julia Hoffman November 7, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Polly. I had the privilege to help care for Polly when she was living at Wesley Manor. She always brightened my day.. She was so proud of her children and grandchildren. She was such a sweet, sweet spirit. Blessings to all of the family as you celebrate her life.

    • Holly Belsey December 3, 2022 at 11:32 am

      Hi Julia,
      It is so very nice of you to share such kind words about mom! She spoke of you often and really enjoyed your company when she lived at Wesley Manor. Please know that you were a very important part of her life and she related many of the stories you told her while she was in your care and even over the last several years while she lived in Wisconsin. Thank you so much for thinking of us at this time!
      Holly (Hackett) Belsey

  2. Sally Morgan November 13, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    I was sorry to hear about Polly. I always enjoyed talking to her. I knew her at Antioch Church and through the literacy program. The family is in my prayers.

    • Holly Belsey December 3, 2022 at 11:37 am

      Good Morning and thank you for sharing your memories of our mother! Literacy was always such a passion for her. Thank you for your prayers as we celebrate mom’s life this holiday season!
      Holly (Hackett) Belsey

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