I am sitting here at Chamber Orchestra rehearsal playing my piccolo and flute... Polly is ALWAYS with me when I play...when I practice...when I perform.

Polly was a mentor and encourager and I am better musically because of her.

Missing her today and always,
Janet Datu

Diane (Polly's daughter) made some really nice bookmarks as mementos for the memorial attendees.

We would like you all to have one. But we don't have everyone's US Mail address. And we don't want you to publish your US Mail address here on the web, so here's my suggestion:

If you want this beautiful bookmark (designed for books or music), please email me directly:
Don Sleeter<donsleeter@gmail.com> with your US Mail address. Diane and I will send you a letter with this wonderful bookmark. 

CANCELED: Memorial Gathering 
Outdoor Garden Reception
August 1, 2021
2-5pm

The Dallidet Adobe and Gardens
1185 Pacific Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

We are cancelling out of caution regarding the spike in Covid-19 Delta variant happening now. I sent an email announcement to the whole email list Saturday, July 24th. Another sad day.

Questions? Call Don Sleeter at 510 432-6961

Dearest Cousin Pauline,
The pictures of you floating through my head at this moment are from our shared childhood, when I spent summer weeks with you and your family in Fresno, or when you came with them to Los Angeles for family gatherings. Those hot summer days in Fresno found us sitting on the side steps of your house eating fresh peaches while the sweet juices ran down off our elbows onto the covered driveway. Or when your mother sent us to Loucks Bakery (I think that was the name) to buy wonderfully fragrant bread and goodies...or when we spent hours in your cool basement playing school or grocery store. And I can picture, with regret, the time when you were at my family's house and my brothers and I accidentally closed a closet door on your fingers. I still wince at that memory! I am profoundly glad they healed and left you able to release beautiful music from your flute!
You were seven years old, and I was 10, in the attached photo taken in Yosemite Valley in 1944. We had such fun. I'm enormously grateful for the memories our parents made possible for us.
Your brother and three children are truly blessed to have had such an interesting, adventurous, accomplished sister/mother as a wonderful example of a life well lived.
So now, the pictures of you in my head include a brave, joyous angel spreading happiness in an orchestra of Heavenly Hosts.
God Speed, dear cousin!

Polly would have turned 1000 months old today, May 6, 2020. I've had it on my calendar for a long time to celebrate it royally, because 1000 months sounds much cooler than 83 years. Just four more months past 83, and one can celebrate a cool Grand birthday. 

I'm sad she did not quite make it to 1000 months. We were also going to go on a nice European vacation this next week, or so, to join many of her friends in the Festival Mosaic on a Danube River Cruise. With a few days stay in Berlin. Where we were going to celebrate 1000 months of life and new beginnings.

If you know anyone that is turning 83, wait four months...  Give them a Grand birthday party. They deserve it. It's way cooler than 83.

It has taken me a few days to wrap my heart around the truth that Polly isn’t on the Pier watching the surfers. I didn’t know what to add besides all that has already been said. Polly loved my stories so I will share one with you all. In my front yard grows two well established Valley Oak trees. They sadly misbehave and don’t drop their leaves in the fall like most trees on our street. No, my leaves cling to their branches until Spring and then shed. Every spring garbage bags full of brown leaves cover the lawns of all who live on Santa Ana. Every Spring one or six neighbors would contact us to cut the trees down. However, the tree guy said they were too rare and healthy. One spring day Polly was number four to knock on my door and complain about the mess. She was just after number three neighbor who had arrived with a saw for my Gardner. Unfortunately, I sort of lost it and “stated” the trees would be staying. Of course, I did apologize as did she. The next autumn Polly met me on the street between our houses with the most beautiful, framed picture of my naughty trees in full Fall colors. She saw their loveliness. That is what I will miss. Polly saw the beauty in our perfect imperfections.

I will miss the music, the laughter, wine at sunset, walks on beaches, the many travels and dinners together. I will miss but carry with me the love of life Polly radiated. I will miss you, Polly, the next time I’m seeking an enthusiastic friend to share an adventure.

Polly really loved and supported him and his musical genius. She knew greatness the first time she heard him playing on the radio. She simply called the radio station, found out his name and then tracked him down like a voracious flute player in search of new music...  She BEAMED with joy and love for Bob Stallman and all of her flute-playing community.  I was very privileged to be there for the "first meeting" of Polly and Bob, and took some pictures of this electrifying moment, April 3, 2009.

We had so much fun.  We even went bar-hopping across the street - drank beers before lunch. Wine during lunch. Great times.

I met Polly when she moved to Pismo. She attended a concert I played (viola) in and afterwards asked anyone within hearing if they wanted to play chamber music. I said yes and we were friends ever since. We also played many times together over the years. When she stopped playing we became traveling companions and enjoyed Mexico City, Cleveland and were to share a suite in May in an Avalon River boat on the Danube.
We enjoyed many Festival Mozaic adventures and concerts together. I will miss her wonderful smile and enthusiasm for music. Rest in peace my friend

Polly was my first flute teacher. I had been studying piano with Zenora Swanson in Kingsburg, and Polly was recommended to us. She was always enthusiastic and you could tell, loved teaching us and playing new flute music. My most vivid memory of Polly is when we would play flute ensembles in her home, in every room, except the bathroom. In later years, I would become the Principal Flutist of the Fresno Philharmonic, and my teacher would be the piccolo player! Before all of this, Polly introduced me to Jean-Pierre Rampal, who performed with the Fresno Philharmonic. I will try to add a photo of Polly and I, with Jean-Pierre. I was about 17 years old, attending Fresno State as a Freshman flute major. She had the original photo, which showed my mini-skirt length dress, which she got a hoot out of! 
Another fun story is in later years, when Julie Constable and I performed together with Zenora at Dr. Bob Bennett's home. I had to announce that this was a very special moment, because I had 3 of my teachers present: Zenora on the piano, Bob Bennett in the background and Polly front and center! 
Polly had a very strong spirit, and I wish that we could have kept in touch more over the years! I will miss you very much, Polly! Thank you for my great start in music with you! Love, Jan