Helen "Polly" Pauline Singerman

Helen Pauline “Polly” Singerman, age 85, passed away peacefully with family at her side on June 4, 2025, while in hospice care at Methodist Hospital in Houston, TX. She died of pneumonia.

 

Polly was born to Paul and Valerie Truesdell, their first child, in a home birth near Maysville, Kentucky, on August 17, 1939. The growing family later moved to an 80-acre farm in nearby Manchester, Ohio, where Polly and her 4 siblings grew up. She attended Manchester High School, excelled academically and earned a home economics scholarship to college.

 

Rather than accept the home-ec scholarship, Polly chose to major in chemistry at Ohio University, a testament to her independent and inquisitive character. In a chemistry class, she met her future husband, Gary Singerman, and they began their life together soon after, marrying in 1958. Over the next 64 years, they would have 2 children, establish careers, travel extensively, settle first in Pittsburgh, PA and then in Houston, TX, build a business, cherish the births of 3 grandchildren, and hold dear their connections with friends and family far and wide.

 

Polly left school after marrying and cared for their young son while Gary completed his PhD and did post-graduate work in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She took jobs along the way to help support the family, working as a bank teller and a nurse’s assistant. They welcomed a daughter, and not long afterwards travelled to Sri Lanka for a year so that Gary could teach chemistry there on a Fulbright scholarship. Within a few years, as Gary settled into his career in research & development back in the States, Polly returned to school at the University of Pittsburgh. She earned a master’s degree in mathematics while raising two children, going on to forge her own career as a systems analyst and programmer for companies like Rockwell International, and, later, Houston Lighting & Power. During these earlier years in technology, challenging for women to enter, Polly held her own in a demanding, rapidly evolving technical field.

 

After retiring, Polly went to Sam Houston State University and gained a second master’s degree as a Licensed Professional Counselor. She put that degree to good use by volunteering her time as a counselor at the Montgomery County Women’s Shelter for many years. Although always a volunteer, Polly saw this as a second career and vitally important work. She was honored and appreciated by the staff for her work there.

 

Loved ones will remember Polly as a deeply humane and caring person, profoundly curious, delighted to laugh, selflessly devoted to her family. She would easily and eagerly lend an ear to those who needed one, helping so many through difficult times. She cherished the excitement and achievements of her children and grandchildren, encouraging them to explore and have “adventures.” She is sorely missed and will remain always in our thoughts and our hearts.

 

Polly is survived by two children and three grandchildren: son Mitchell Adam Singerman and his two children Paul George Singerman and Mariah Nicole Singerman, and daughter Lisa Marie Singerman and her son Zeke Daniel Singerman. She is also survived by 4 loving siblings Dean (Jackie) Truesdell, Lynn Truesdell, Sandy (Bob) Kurt, and Kyle (Carol) Truesdell. She is mourned by friends, colleagues, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

 

Included in Polly’s definition of family are Colleen Robinson and Sharon Hollman, devoted and beloved caregivers during her final years.

 

She is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Valerie Truesdell, her sister-in-law Lorraine Janelle Truesdell, and her husband Gary Singerman, who passed away with Polly at his side in 2022.

 

Friends and family of Polly will gather in Maysville, Kentucky from all over the country to celebrate her life on September 27th, 2025.