Mary "Polly" E. Venable

Mary “Polly” Tate Venable, 88, of Red Lion, PA, passed away on Thursday, November 27, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Alan E. and Mary E. (Stover) Smith.

Polly is survived by her son Robert David Tate, her daughter Kathryn “Cricket” Forrest Tate and her husband Daryl Webb; grandson Bailey Keyes Tate; cousins Mina Jane Grothey and Lynn Stinson Trout, and her beloved cat Fuzzy Peshak.

Polly was born in York, PA, but she lived all over the world from Shaker Heights, Ohio, & Rome, New York, to Japan, Denmark, and New Zealand. She most recently resided with her daughter and son in law. Polly was a United States Air Force Veteran serving from 1959-1962. She was a Second Lieutenant, family service officer, and a general's aide.

She received her bachelor's degree from Western College for Women, which is now part of Miami University. She later received her master's in education administration. Polly worked as a graduate advisor at SUNY, Bingham, NY until her retirement.

She was a longtime member of St. James' Episcopal Church in Parkton, MD, where she served on the vestry and actively participated in the annual Holiday Fest.

Polly enjoyed traveling the world, knitting, quilting & embroidery art.

She also loved Rock & Roll and thoroughly enjoyed attending Rock concerts with her son, some of which included The Who, Styx, AC/DC, and many more.

Family & Friends are invited to a memorial service which will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. James’ Episcopal Church, 19200 York Rd., Parkton, MD 21120.