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Cynthia Bassett Polhemus
Cynthia Bassett Polhemus of Boulder, Colorado, and formerly of Sagaponack, died on December 7. She was 93.
She was the daughter of Francis and Rosamund Bassett of Taunton, Massachusetts. She attended Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Connecticut College for Women (at that time) in New London, Connecticut.
She was married to Harry Polhemus, who predeceased her in 2009, and loved living near the beach in Sagaponack for over 30 years, before moving to Colorado.
She donated her time and knowledge to the Bridgehampton Library, including its popular Fridays at 5 program and Bridgehampton Association’s Book Bay.
She played Bridge with her best friends weekly, and would often gleefully walk away with her $2 winnings. Her crowning achievement came in the late 1970s, when Eugene Maleska of the New York Times published two of her Diagramless Crossword puzzles. Asked why she didn’t continue constructing these puzzles, she commented, “They’re too hard to put together and each only got me $35.” She was a true Yankee.
She is survived by Diana Price of Bayport; Harry Curtis of Vero Beach, Florida; Laura Curtis of Boulder, Colorado; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her beloved grand dog, Dudley.
A service will be held at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Bridgehampton at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the New York City Ballet (nycballet.com) and the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) of the Hamptons (arfhamptons.org) would be appreciated by the family.
Staff Writer on Dec 13, 2024