Feb. 7, 1947 — Dec. 27, 2013

Polly M. Ryder, 66, of Dowagiac, passed away Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, at her home in Dowagiac.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at First United Methodist Church of Dowagiac, 326 N. Lowe St. Dowagiac, with Pastor David Price officiating. A gathering of family and friends will take place two hours prior to the service, 9-11, at the church. A luncheon will follow in the church basement immediately following her Celebration of Life.

Polly was born Feb. 7, 1947, in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Ruth (Hoopes) Holbury of Dowagiac. On May 14, 1988 she married Jeffrey Ryder. Polly worked for the Dowagiac Daily News & Leader Publications for almost twenty years as the advertising director before starting her own business in 1989, Image Publishing in Dowagiac. Her son, Paul, continues working the business.

She enjoyed working in advertising and design and was very helpful and creative when it came to helping businesses with their advertising promotions. She also enjoyed needle work, stained glass work, macramé, art, quilting and antique hunting. She loved her antique glass collections.

Polly was also very active in her church at the First United Methodist Church in Dowagiac, at one time acting as lay leader and on the Pastor Parish Council. Polly was also a member of the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival and was a member of the INMA (International Newsmedia Marketing Association).

Polly is survived by her husband, Jeff, one son, Paul (Christine) Potter, of Dowagiac, MI; her two grandchildren, Madison and Sienna Potter of Dowagiac, MI; her three brothers, Jerry Holbury of Cleveland, Ohio; Walter “Skip” (Glenna) Holbury of Saranac, MI and Gregory (Karen) Holbury of Dowagiac and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the family for a scholarship foundation at Southwestern Michigan College for graphic design.

Those wishing to share a memory of Polly online may do so at www.clarkch.com.