Gladys Louise Michelfelder Polite

Gladys Louise Michelfelder Polite, 95, died August 27, 2011 at Willow Valley Retirement Community in Lancaster, PA. She was the wife of the late Ilario S. Polite, with whom she shared 72 years of marriage.
           
Before moving to Lancaster, Mrs. Polite was a long-time resident of Exton, PA, where she and her husband owned and operated The Guernsey Cow restaurant from 1931 until 1976. During the 1940s, Mrs. Polite hosted tourists in their home, Sleepy Hollow Hall, which was adjacent to the restaurant.

During most of her life in Exton, Mrs. Polite and her husband cared for Willie Minor, who called “The Cow” his home and the Polites his family.

Born in Coatesville, Mrs. Polite was the daughter of the late Emil and Annie Rose Michelfelder of Coatesville. Her early years were spent working in her family’s business, Michelfelder’s Bakery. Mrs. Polite was a graduate of Coatesville High School, Class of 1934, where she was a member of the girls’ basketball team.
           
Mrs. Polite, who volunteered at the Chester County Hospital for 22 years and at the Chester County Art Association, also belonged to the Downingtown Women’s Club and Whitford Country Club, Exton. When she lived in Exton and later Whitford, she was a member of Saints Philip and James Church, Exton.
           
A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she is survived by three daughters, Wanda McGlinchey-Ryan of Exton, PA, Saundra Schier, of Audubon, PA, and Mary Lisa Cole, Downingtown, PA; eight grandchildren, Kevin, Erin, Sean, and Brian McGlinchey; Joshua Schier and Amanda Schier Meek; Jeffrey and Tyler Cole; seven great-grandchildren and two sisters, Mildred Coates, Downingtown and Helen Blackburn, Newcastle, DE.

Services and interment will be private. 

The family requests memorial contributions to Mrs. Polite’s favorite charity: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.