Judith Lynn Wallace Polan, 69, of Caldwell passed away peacefully at her home with her loving husband by her side.
She was born Mar. 6, 1957 in Ronceverte, the daughter of Phyllis Spencer Wallace and the late William L. Wallace.
Judith’s talents were many and diverse. She was accomplished at everything she attempted. A talented artist, calligrapher, illustrator and book binder. She completed courses at The Digby Stuart College in England in calligraphy, gold gliding and bookbinding.
Judith has a degree in scientific illustration from the Royal Bontanic Garden in Edinburg, Scotland where she graduated with honors. She holds certification from Cornell University Department of Ornithology in bird biology and illustration.
Judith was a member of the West Virginia Chapter of Master Naturalists and a member of Mensa, an international organization for people tested with a genius IQ. Josh learned quickly that she was the smartest one in their home. Judith was a successful businesswoman and chief financial officer and owner of Riverbend Nursery for 30 years, instrumental in the business’ success.
Judith was a talented musician and played piano, classical guitar, accordion and fiddle. She composed several pieces of music for classical guitar that were often inspired by her travels and her appreciation of the natural world.
She was continuously involved in community projects. Judith volunteered for the Greenbrier Valley Hospice for decades and for Carnegie Hall, where she was on the Board of Directors. Along with her husband, Josh, she donated the landscape for Carnegie Hall after the Renaissance campaign, and also the landscape for the Peyton Hospice House after construction was completed. It was their honor to do so.
Judith was a superb cook and baker and even won first prize at the West Virginia State Fair for the best pie of the year. It was blueberry. This blue ribbon inspired Josh to propose marriage.
A world traveler and explorer throughout the United States, Europe, Central and South America, Asia, South Pacific, Australia, the Caribbean and Mexico, and New Zealand, where she spent 26 winters with her husband, exploring the country with a sketchbook, a box of paints and a fly rod.
It was when they were traveling through Europe, 40 years ago, that Josh proposed to her and they got married under English law on the Rock of Gibraltar, a British possession.
Finally, Judith was a world-class flyfisher woman traveling the world in both fresh and saltwater in pursuit of her sport. She continuously documented her fishing adventures with detailed illustrated journals of her time on the water. The Brazilian Amazon, The Bahamas, New Zealand, Patagonia, Christmas Island, Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and incredible other places. To Josh’s delight, Judy always out fished the boys. Her paintings and journals of these wonderful days spent together on the water are now her greatest treasure and reminder of the best fishing mate he could have ever hoped to have.
“She gathers the mountains around her, she draws the rivers into a circle, the trees and the rocks look forward, they see her fishing fishing.”
Dedicated wife and partner, devoted sister, aunt, daughter and friend, she shared her artistic joy and celebrated the natural world for all of us to enjoy.
Judy was preceded in death by her father, William L. Wallace; nephew, Spencer James Arnold and great-nephew Odin Robert Arnold.
Those left to cherish the spirit of Judy are her husband, Robert Joshua Polan; her mother Phyllis Spencer Wallace; sister Pamela W. Arnold (Rusty); nieces and nephews, Ann Dove (Jeromy), Cav Arnold (Shawna),Elizabeth Arnold (Jonathan Parker); niece-in-law, Tasha Arnold; great-nieces and nephews, J.R. Weikle, Kyleigh Weikle, Ivan Weikle, Naomi Weikle, Chase Arnold, Bre Theriot, Lylah Arnold-Parker, Zoey Arnold-Parker and Harlow Arnold-Parker and great-great-nephews Kai and Zayden.
A joyous Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20, at 2:25 PM at Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg with Pastor Stewart Farley. The family will receive family and friends from 1 PM until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.
The family strongly suggests that Judy would like memorial contributions be made to Peyton Hospice House, 1265 Maplewood Avenue, Lewisburg, WV 24901.
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com
