About Polly Susette Cluff
Polly Susette (Brookbank) Cluff passed away in Gilbert, Arizona surrounded by the love of the family to whom she devoted her life.
Polly was born in Mesa, Arizona, to James Orland and Elaine Juanita Brookbank. She grew up in Mesa, Eloy and in Showlow where she graduated from Snowflake High School in 1966. She kept active in school clubs and functions and was a cheerleader all four years of high school. She went on to attend Arizona State University where she met her eternal companion, Ron Cluff. The two were married July 13, 1967, beginning a union that would last until his passing September 11, 2021.
Polly and Ron made their home for most of their married life in Mesa/Gilbert area of the valley in Arizona, where they raised their seven children. She proudly called herself a wife and mother first. Polly was adventurous and active, brave enough to marry into a musical family with no musical experience of her own. She then went on to perform alongside her husband and children in local church and school concerts for years. She was the music director for the Gilbert Fine Arts in their production of Scrooge. She also choreographed and was the music support for many church road-shows and performances. Polly always felt privileged when she worked with her children on these projects, believing that her children were the best. (We think she was right) She was her children’s biggest fan showing up for every activity, every game and even coaching her boys in baseball. We fondly remember the bucket of double bubble gum and m&m’s she used to encourage the best from her team. Watching her children, and later her grandchildren, compete and perform brought her endless joy.
A devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Polly served faithfully in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society, often as the president, and Sunday School. She even served with her “my hunny” as a temple ordinance worker. She said recently that she remembered seeing Ron at the top of the stairs in the Mesa Arizona temple in his white suit and how handsome he was. We feel this is how he escorted her to their heavenly home. Her faith was beautiful, her prayers were powerful, and her service to and her love for others was sincere.
Polly was also a breast cancer survivor in 1994 and met that challenge with the same quiet strength she brought to everything else she endured in life.
She was a true artist with a needle and thread – a sewing magician who made wedding dresses for her daughters, daughter in law and granddaughter. She was equally gifted at
making veils. She also made many dresses and tailored so many clothes for family and friends, often sewing late into the night. During 2020 pandemic, she sewed thousands of surgical caps and masks that she donated to her daughter’s dental office and to local hospitals or to anyone who asked. Polly was equally gifted at decorating cakes, weddings, birthdays or whatever. She had an eye for design and loved decorating and redecorating every home she and Ron lived in, whether he had built it or not. Above all, she cherished sewing, crafting nearly anything she set her mind to, cheering on her children and grandchildren, and her Friday date nights with her “my hunny.”
Polly is survived by her seven children: Susette (Kirk Tenney), Stacy (Jason Rogers), Tyler (Tiffany Cluff), Ronald “Hobie” (Brittany Cluff), Melodee Eloise, Michael (Amanda Cluff), Christi (Casey Gray), along with their families that includes 24 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren who adored her. Her Brothers Jimmy (Jo Brookbank) and Alan (Paulette Dill)
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Ronald Gwain Cluff, and her parents, James and Juanita Brookbank. Her sisters Alice Harris and Betty Stevens.
Polly’s beautiful faith, generous heart, and steady love for her family will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Funeral Services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building on 2715 East. Ocotillo Road San Tan Valley, Arizona 85140 on Saturday August 22nd 2026 at 11:00 am.
Mortuary that handled the arrangements is Bunkers Family Funeral home in Mesa Arizona
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.