Isabel Pauline Stewart Stern

March 1, 1925 — October 31, 2013

Isabel Pauline Stewart Stern – Polly, to us – passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, 2013.

In the days preceding her death, she enjoyed the company and comfort of family members and close, longtime companions at her home on her beloved San Juan Island.

Polly lived a long and fruitful life. She was born on March 1, 1925 in Mapleton, N.J. After completing her schooling there, Polly attended Pratt Institute N.Y.C. School of Art and Design, specializing in interior design.

In May of 1947, Polly married Edgar Bloom Stern Jr., the love of her life. Edgar felt the same way about Polly, stating that it was “The most important decision I ever made. Everything else flows from that moment.” (In His Own Words by Edgar B. Stern).

Initially, Polly and Edgar made their life in New Orleans, La., where they started their family of four children: Sandra, Eric, Monte and Lessing. Eventually, in 1968, Polly and Edgar, along with their youngest child, Lessing, moved their headquarters to Aspen, Colo., where they became interested and involved in the worlds of skiing and music.

In the 1970s, they developed Deer Valley Resort in Utah, where they maintained a second home.

The Sterns made their final move to San Juan Island in 1986, where they put down deep roots and where Polly continued to pursue her passionate interests in landscape design, interior home design and in restaurant design and development.

Polly’s beloved Edgar passed away in October, 2008. She chose to remain on San Juan Island enjoying time with her family, especially with her great-grandchildren as the new and youngest members of her family came along.

She is survived by her four children, seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

To quote a close, family friend, Dr. Winnie Winn, “There is a hole in our hearts now that Polly Stern is gone from us.”

We will miss her greatly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Polly Stern to The Family Umbrella Group P. O. Box 392, Friday Harbor, WA or to The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor (Animal Shelter) P. O. Box 1355, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Stern Family, 723 Carefree Way, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.

— Family of Polly Stern