LENOX, Mass. — Mary Kilby Porter (Polly), 94, died peacefully on July 21, 2018, at her summer home on Under Mountain Road in Lenox, Mass.

Born in Lake Forest, Ill., on April 12, 1924, she attended Chatham Hall in Virginia, Vassar College in New York and graduated from the University of Denver in Colorado, with a degree in Theater Arts.

Winning an acting award brought her to New York City, where she continued her theater career for many years, performing and casting commercials.

In 1970, she came to the Berkshires to participate in the Music Theater Group and continued to spend summers here, (alternating with Key West Winters), for the next 45 years.

Key West brought a whole new world of wonderful friends, sports, parties, and just watching the waves. 

Polly shrugged off her beauty, carried a star quality lightly, made people laugh and deeply adore her. There is so much more and we will remember with tears and smiles.

She is survived by loving partner of 50 years, Susan Rodgers of Lenox and Key West; her brother-in-law, Charles R. Hickox Jr., of Dallas, Texas; nieces Marjorie P. Anderson (David) of Manhattan, Kansas., Anne P. Conolly of Burlington, Vt., Mary P. Wright (John) of Eastchester, N.Y.,; nephews, Charles R. Hickox, III (Cheryl) and Gilbert P. Hickox (Susan) all of Dallas, Texas; many grandnieces and grandnephews; and wonderful friends and neighbors in Lenox.

Funeral notice: A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations in Polly’s memory may be made to either the Lenox Library, Florida Keys SPCA, or the Monroe County Library, all in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main Street, Lenox, MA 01240.