SHIP'S SPONSOR & MATRONS OF HONOR
Meet the Ship's Sponsor: Polly Spencer
As the wife of the 76th Secretary of the Navy, Polly traveled with her husband visiting sailors and Marines and their families around the country and overseas. She witnessed their unwavering dedication and the countless sacrifices they and their families make each day and how deserving they are of our nation's gratitude. Polly sites this experience and being the Sponsor of the USS NANTUCKET as highlights of her career.
Polly anchored her ties to Nantucket in 1976 when she lived there year-round raising her three children, two of whom were born on Island. She owned and operated a children's clothing store and later a toy store. With her children, son in law and grandsons all living in New England, two on Nantucket, Polly seizes every opportunity to visit her Nantucket home.
Since leaving Washington DC, Polly and her husband now call a beautiful farm in Virginia home. Her many hobbies include knitting, needlepoint, cooking and bird watching. Polly knits prayer cloths for her church and has taken up picking litter from the sides of the road. Studying to become a Master Gardener promises to open several volunteer opportunities for her in the local community.
Ship’s Sponsor Polly Spencer (center) with her daughters and Matrons of Honor Sarah Minella (right) and Amy Ambrecht (left).
Courtesy of Lockheed Martin.
Meet the Matrons of Honor: Sarah Minella & Amy Ambrecht
Sarah Minella, the eldest daughter of Polly Spencer, was born in Vermont but has lived most of her life on Nantucket. She is excited to be a Matron of Honor of the future USS NANTUCKET. A University of California at Santa Barbara graduate, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of New Hampshire. Opportunities to travel the world sparked her love of exploration. She enjoys experiencing different cultures, meeting new people and listening to their stories and spending time in nature. Sarah’s different employment positions include snowboard instructor in Maine and Oregon, a wilderness therapy instructor and working as a mason. Recently, she expanded her travel options in a personally designed and custom outfitted sprinter van. Though Sarah is always planning her next adventure, she calls Nantucket home.
Amy Ambrecht, Polly Spencer's daughter, was born and raised on Nantucket. She attended Tabor Academy in Marion MA and graduated from the Carroll School of Management, Boston College, with a major in Marketing. A move to New York City launched her professional career in the fashion industry which was instrumental in opening Ladybird Lingerie on Nantucket. Amy met her husband, Reeves, while playing tennis on Nantucket. They were married at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church on the island. They currently reside in Cohasset MA with their three sons: Reeves, Mercer, and Miller. Her busy family life includes watching the boys on sports fields and in hockey rinks. Running, skiing, tennis, baking and reading fill her free time. Enjoying summers and off-season on Island are especially treasured by the entire family.