YARMOUTH — Margaret “Polly” Bradley Sherk, 98, of Yarmouth, died Feb. 21. 

Sherk was born Sept. 13, 1914 in New Haven, Conn., the eldest daughter of Seymour Mersick Bradley and Ruth Bostwick Bradley.

She attended Worthington Hooker School, Miss Day’s School and was a graduate of Briarcliff Manor College. 

While working at The Foote School, Polly met F. Allen (Al) Sherk, whom she married in 1938. That same year they moved to Milton, Mass., where he was Milton Academy Master of Wolcott House. They remained there, with the exception of World War II years 1942 to 1945, until he was appointed headmaster of Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven, Conn., in 1953. At both schools Sherk spent many happy and busy years assisting with school activities and involving herself in each community. She played an important role as Hopkins grew into the vital institution it is today. She also enjoyed each summer with the family at their summer home in Deering, N.H.

Sherk served as a hospital volunteer while in Milton and served on the board of the Yale New Haven Hospital Auxiliary. 

She was active in the Colonial Dames of Connecticut, the Junior League of New Haven, the North End Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, the New Haven Historical Society and the Preservation Trust of New Haven. She was also a member of the New Haven Garden Club and the Women’s Seaman’s Friend Society, of which she was president. She was a trustee of Center Church on the New Haven Green, where her family has worshipped for many generations. Several of her ancestors were the first founders of the New Haven Colony. 

Sherk loved art history and painted well into her 90s. She was also an avid swimmer and indoor gardener, activities she also carried out into her 90s.

Sherk is predeceased by her husband, F. Allen Sherk, and by her three brothers, Truman Bradley, Seymour Bradley Jr. and Robert Bradley. She is survived by her children, Truman E. Sherk of Branford, Conn.; Susan B. Sherk of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Ellen S. Walsh of Yarmouth, as well as by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.