Margaret "Polly" Newsome Blackmer

BLACKMER, Margaret Newsome (Polly), age 89, passed away on October 27, 2015 at Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community in Charleston, SC. Polly was born on May 7, 1926 in Gainesville, TX, to Davis and Gladys Newsome, and was the youngest of eleven children.

From 1944-1953, she worked in Dallas, TX for Rauscher, Pierce and Co. (at the time the largest brokerage firm in Texas) where she worked her way up from an entry-level job to a senior position.

She married the late Boswell Anderson Blackmer of Denver, CO. They lived in Denver for several years before moving to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, where they both began successful careers in real estate. Returning from St. Thomas, they lived in Hilton Head Island, SC, Denver, and Naples, FL, and in 1997 moved to Charleston, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. For 41 years they spent their summers at Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, NC, where Polly was an avid and talented competitor in both tennis and croquet.

Wherever they relocated, Polly was dedicated to the betterment of the communities in which she lived. She was especially known for the success of her fashion shows and art auctions, which raised funds for a variety of causes. Polly helped establish private Montessori schools in both St. Thomas and on Hilton Head Island. She served on a number of boards including the Duke Cancer Institute Board of Overseers; the Henry M. Blackmer Foundation; Antilles School, St. Thomas; Charles A. Cannon Jr. Memorial Hospital, Linville, NC; Sea Pines Montessori Academy, Hilton Head Island; and St. Mary's Academy, Denver, CO.

Polly's final move was into Bishop Gadsden in 1999 where, as one of the earliest residents, she was known as one of the Original '99ers. As was true throughout her life, her generosity continued at Bishop Gadsden, with contributions that enhanced the lives of all the residents.

Polly is survived by four children: Teri Blackmer Jenkins of St. Augustine, Fl; and Sarah Blackmer Chamberlain; Myron Kerr Blackmer (Paulette); and Margaret Preston Blackmer (Lettie Lipchak), all of Charleston. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Sarah Chanler Ryan; Margaret Eleanor Chanler; Theresa Eleanor Liberatore; Adrianne Burnham Chamberlain; and Sallie Blackmer Chamberlain; as well as five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community, 1873 Camp Road, Charleston. The service will be followed by a reception in Blackmer Hall at Bishop Gadsden. A private committal will follow later in the columbarium at Grace Church, Charleston.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bishop Gadsden Resident Assistance Fund or the charity of one's choice.