Pauline M. Bretz, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully at the age of 106 on March 19, 2025, at Cornwall Manor in Cornwall.
Polly, as she was known to her friends, was born to James and Mary (Beck) Buchmoyer on Sept. 16, 1918, in Bethel, PA. She was the second youngest of a family of eight. She resided in the same home in Lebanon for nearly 80 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stewart E. Bretz, who passed away on April 2, 1961.
She was a strong and fearless woman who lived independently up until just a few weeks prior to her passing. Her life was filled with many passions, including her love for horses, dogs, and all animals, participating in a bowling league, cheering on Penn State football, and watching Jeff Gordon and NASCAR. She was a member of the St. Johns EUB Church in Pleasant Hill for many years. She had a strong tie to her community and found great joy in her neighbors and friends. She grew very close to her next-door neighbors, Angie and Rick Reinhart, and enjoyed being around their children who became like family to her.
Polly took great pride in her work history as she worked steadily from the age of 14 to 80. She spent the late 1930s working in the Lebanon Paper Box Factory and was the first of only a few women allowed to work the machinery when “the boys went off to war.” She also spent nearly 20 years at Cedar Haven in Lebanon, where she developed many lifelong friendships.
Polly was remarkable for her tenacity and the meticulous way she took care of herself and others. She is survived by her daughter, Renee Hoffman, wife of Richard Hoffman, of Lebanon, and Randy Bretz, partner of Michelle Yeagley, of Annville; grandchildren, Mark Hoffman (Lebanon), Julie Larison, wife of Dennis Larison, of Elizabethtown, and Alicia Johnston (Elizabethtown). She has eight great-grandchildren, Bryce, Conor, and Jacob Larison, Brody Johnston, Brooke Wagner, and Isabel, Emily, and Ella Hoffman; and great-great-granddaughter, Anaya, all of whom have always marveled at the independence of their grandmother. She left an indelible mark on all their lives.
Those who loved Polly know we will never meet another woman like her and cherish our memories of her until we see her again.
Interment will include a private ceremony at the Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, where she will be buried with her husband, of whom she was immensely proud and was anxious to see again.
Send condolences online to Kreamer Funeral Home, Annville.
