Polsgrove Hall namesake and her daughter were active in church’s congregation
Lenora Polsgrove jars a little when she hears her last name out of context.
The 57-year-old resident's surname comes up most often when she's in Bible study at Advent United Methodist Church , 3460 N. Rancho Drive .
"It's very strange to sit and hear, 'It's in Polsgrove Hall go to Polsgrove Hall,' " she said.
Polsgrove and her late mother, Dorothy , were congregation members for several decades. When a new organ was needed, the then-pastor turned to the congregation for support. Dorothy Polsgrove quietly provided the funding, and the church named a multipurpose, prefabricated building for her, Polsgrove said.
"My mom had more class in her little finger than most women had in their whole body," Polsgrove said. "She was so honest. She could have been Abe Lincoln's sister."
Polsgrove, who lived with her mother until her April 2009 death, said her mother was humble, generous and very religious. The pair attended Bible study three times a week, Sunday service, and Dorothy Polsgrove faithfully tithed 10 percent of her income. Polsgrove was told their funding helped with Advent United Methodist Church 's organ, Sunday school room and a security system, she said.
"She believed in helping others," said family friend and Advent United Methodist Church organist Sharon Kemna . "She didn't sing her own praises. She did things and you heard about it later."
Dorothy Polsgrove was a native of Louisville, Ky. , where she met her husband, John Polsgrove .
They had their only child, Lenora , in California but raised her in Las Vegas .
"She said she wanted to be somewhere she could see sunshine, blue sky and no clouds," said Kemna.
Dorothy Polsgrove worked as a nurse and helped with her husband's printing company. She was active with her daughter's studies and choir involvement, Polsgrove said.
She and her daughter were inseparable, Kemna said. "You saw one, you saw the other," she said.
Polsgrove said her "Mama" was her best friend and confidant. The home they shared includes several family photos, trinkets and mementos celebrating mothers. Polsgrove never married and has no children .
Three framed photos of Dorothy Polsgrove adorn the coffee table. The living room furniture is a peach color, Dorothy Polsgrove 's signature hue, Polsgrove said.
The women volunteered as ushers for various theaters and productions around town. They also would sit in on performances, with conditions, Polsgrove said.
"If they used the Lord's name in vain or said the 'F' word, my mom would leave and sit in the lobby and read her Bible," Polsgrove said. "She was a devout Christian and wouldn't put up with it."
Dorothy Polsgrove suffered strokes and medical ailments until she died at age 87. Her memorial services were hosted at the Advent United Methodist Church .
Kemna read the eulogy at her funeral.
"She loved her church, she loved her city and above all, she loved God," she said. "It's entirely fitting that (Polsgrove Hall) be there and be named for her."
Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.