Ursula H. Poland

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Albany Medical College

Ursula Poland Obituary

Poland, Ursula H. ALBANY/DELMAR Ursula Hatfield (Anker) Poland died October 5, 2009. Ursula was born in Duesseldorf, Germany and came to England in her early teens. After receiving a diploma in institutional management from King's College of Household and Social Science, Univ. of London, she worked in large scale cafeterias for industrial firms and school meals services during World War II. She came to the U.S. in 1947 and has lived in Albany since 1956. After receiving her master's degree in library science from the State University of New York in Albany in 1964, she became librarian of the Albany Medical College Library. She retired from that position in 1987. She was an active member of the Medical Library Assoc. and received its highest award, the Marcia C. Noyes Award, in 1986. She was also a member of the Upstate New York and Ontario Chapter of the Medical Library Association and its president in 1967/68. For many years, she was a member of the board of trustees of the Capital District Library Council. She also was a member of the Special Libraries Assoc. and the New York Library Assoc. She served on several task forces organized by the regional Medical Library Program and by the New York State Library. She was an active member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany. She was also a member of the League of Women Voters, of the Capital District Humanist Society, of the Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Center, the Albany Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary and the Jewish Community Center. She was the widow of Rudolph Martin Anker and of Orville Farlin Poland. Survivors are: daughters, Judith C. Anker Plotz of Providence and Janet R. Anker of Bar Harbor; son, David S. Anker of Woodbridge, Va.; sons-in-law, Richard D. Plotz and Charles J. Donnelly; grandchildren, Martha A. Ingols and Michael D. Plotz. She is also survived by special friend, Raymond S. Blanchard. The family invites all friends to a memorial service Friday, November 20, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at Emerson Hall, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, 405 Washington Avenue, Albany. Contributions may be made to the Endowment Trust Fund of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, Schaffer Library of Health Sciences, Albany Medical Ciollege, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood or WAMC. See website.

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Published by Albany Times Union from Oct. 8 to Oct. 9, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Ursula Poland

11 Entries

Christine Root

October 21, 2009

The library community has lost a treasure! I shall always remember
Ursula's kindness and advice from my early days in the profession.

Liselotte Hof-Weber

October 16, 2009

Dear Janet, Judy and David, and Ray,
how sad you must all be to have lost this wonderful mother and companion. Peter and I were shocked when we got the news. Ursel was one of the people at AMC who took us under her wings and provided us with helpful advice when we first came to Albany and joined the faculty at AMC. There was always a warm spot in her heart for the Biochemistry Department, of which Rudi Anker had been a member. She remained a friend for all these years. We shared our love for chamber music and traveled many a winter night together to Union College for the wonderful concert series, together with Marianna Muntz in the beginning. How I have missed these trips since moving to Florida! And now I will miss the e-mail connection to a dear friend.
We will keep her memory alive, and hope that remembering the good times, the laughter and special moments will comfort you in your sorrow.
In sympathy,
Liselotte and Peter.

Andrew Hanerfeld

October 10, 2009

Ursula has been the best friend to my ward Caroline C. Drake for many years. She and Raymond have become dear friends to myself and have always remembered Caroline. In fact they have attended Carolin's birthdays now for several years. Ursula was more than helpful when my partner was diagnosed with terminal renal cell cancer and convinced me we had a chance, and my partner is still with us now 3 years later. We love Ursula and I speak for Caroline and my partner Gary and all of our friends, who became or were already friends with Ursula.
We love you and we will miss you till we meet again.

October 10, 2009

Sweetheart,

As I think back about all the life we shared and treaured dearly, it is somehow blent in a wonderous way with a heart pang and tears.
The golden threads of life are the sorrow that tugs at your heart.
I love and miss you so very, very much
Raymond

Lou Rappaport

October 9, 2009

What sad news; a part of me thought Ursula would be with us, with her caring and intelligent way with words, forever. She was a hero to all of us who care about making the world a better place, lighting the way for all of us and especially librarians, lovers of art and music, cancer survivors. I will miss her.
Lou Rappaport

Judi Woodin

October 9, 2009

Ray, I am so sorry to learn that once again you have lost a very special person in your life. Although I can think of no supplements to change things, I can sent you a hug.
I miss the friendly banter that we exchanged at the Delmar Health Hut.
My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Zoe Lindsay

October 9, 2009

The things I'll always remember best about Aunt Ursula are her thoughtfulness, generosity, genuine interest in people's lives, and the way she would breathe in deeply through her nose, clasp her hands, and look down her glasses to say something of amusing importance. Aunt Ursula never forgot about us when she traveled, even though we aren't blood related, and she always brought back the best souvenirs. Never something big or showy, just a little something from her travels,but it always hit the spot and, of course, she had the best taste in books. I loved listening to the few stories she told us of her life growing up, and the time she gave everyone a pound of dried apricots for Christmas. No of us liked them and we had no idea what to do with so many apricots!
She was such a strong, inspiring woman. I'll miss you, Aunt Ursula.

October 8, 2009

To Ray and all the family,
I am so very sorry to lose Ursula's bright light. I would always feel happy to run into her at Unitarian events. There was something immediate and true about her and she just seemed to get what life is about. I was always grateful too for the lovely letter she wrote to the TU when my dad died as she had known him from her library work at Albany Med. With great respect and sincere condolences,
Kathy Ray

Laurie Beberwyck

October 8, 2009

What a loss for all of us who knew her. Ursula always had good advice when asked for it and was such an upbeat beautiful person. I will miss her greatly.

Helen Desfosses

October 8, 2009

Ursula will be sorely missed in so many arenas of the Capital District: educational, political, church, and that of progressive social issues. She was invariably generous with her experience, her insights and her volunteer time. Plus, she was a good, good friend--and always a source of frank and helpful advice. I will miss her.

Eleanor Fadeley

October 8, 2009

To The Family of Ursula Poland,
At JCC there is an exercise class I attend and Ursula was our excellent leader.
I am not alone is saying that we miss her.
My deepest sympathy.

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