MARY LOUISE-POLLAK-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Chambers Funeral Homes - North Olmsted

MARY LOUISE POLLAK

North Olmsted, Ohio

May 13, 1931 – Apr 30, 2023

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BORN
May 13, 1931
DIED
April 30, 2023
LOCATION
North Olmsted, Ohio

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Chambers Funeral Homes - North Olmsted Obituary

Mary Lou Pollak set sail on her last voyage, taking flight April 30th, surrounded by loving family members.


Mary Lou’s many friends, and she made friends in locations spanning the globe, is a testament to a life well lived and her penchant to put smiles on the faces of those around her.


A lover of all things beautiful, her passion for the symphony, art, and theater is only surpassed by her love of people and travel.


A life-long learner, she attended classes just days before she departed us.


She believed life should be lived to the fullest.  To those closest to her, she is the greatest example of doing so, they have ever known.


Mary Lou traveled to all seven continents and visited more than 100 countries, many times sharing in their customs and always trying their cuisine.  And unlike some, who would simply go through a place, Mary Lou made time to take photos and wrote voluminously in journals, to document her experiences in most locales.


She could converse on a wide variety of topics and was intolerant of just a few things, intolerance, injustice and political chicanery.


Generous in both spirit and resources she gave of both in serving others.  To cite just one example, she spent one long vacation abroad holding newborn orphans in Romania, when she was in her late 70s.


She will be missed by us dearly and celebrated forever.


MARY LOU POLLAK (nee Noel), age 91, beloved wife of the late Henry "Hank"; daughter of the late Cecelia (nee Benner) and Ralph Noel; stepmother of Kip Carpenter (Joan); grandmother of Tiffany, Olivia and Stephen; like a mom to her cousins and dear friend of many.  Passed away April 30, 2023.  Relatives and friends are invited to meet for her Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 1:30 P.M. Westshore Unitarian Universalist Church (20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River, OH 44116).  Burial private Sunset Memorial Park.  Memorial contributions are suggested to her church. 

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Mary Lou Noel Pollak was a long-time friend from her days in Chicago when she worked for Northwest Airlines. She joined the Chicago Alumnae Chapter of Gamma Phi Beta, and we have been friends since the late 1960's. We kept in touch by birthday letters between Mary Lou, Ann Guetzloff Harding and me as well as occasional phone calls. My sympathy to her family and friends as Mary Lou was a wonderful person. Sally Erikson Lewis (Chicago, IL)

Mary Lou was a great neighbor. Always had a hello and something kind to say.

For more years than I can count, Marylou regularly attended my lectures in the Encore program at Tri-C and at local churches. I believe that, with few exceptions, she missed a session only when out of the country on one of her many overseas sojourns. Her intellectual curiosity and love of learning were inspiring even for a college professor. She once thoughtfully gifted me with a copy of the Jefferson Bible. I was always grateful for the enthusiasm and positive energy that she brought...

I worked with Mary Lou at Tremco. It was a privilege to know this remarkable woman. Will miss her Christmas letters.

I met Mary Lou decades ago through the phone. She organized 3 moves for my husband and I with Tremco. I finally got to meet her with our last move to Cleveland. We became friends with she and Hank. My husband supplied the venison for the dinners she and Hank raffled for their church. And Mary Lou, Mickie Maniscalco, and Cheri Slattery always got together for long lunches when I came back to Cleveland. I will miss her terribly.

Mary Lou and I are sorority sisters and long time friends. We have shared some good times (being part of a small group chartering an alum group of our sisterhood in the early 1960s) and some sad times in the years since. Through it all Mary Lou has kept her positive attitude and cheerful hope for the future. She's been an inspiration to us in the last few years as she endured serious health problems . She faced them with a courage we all admired. We will miss her smile and hopeful...

Mary Lou was a dynamo with a colorful and spirited personality. Her positive attitude was remarkable and her zest for life was infectious. I will always remember her cute smile and witty comments. My sincere sympathy to her family and friends and especially Jeff.

I did not know Mary Lou very long but was impressed by her boundless energy and her zest for life! It was a privilege to have known her even for a short time.My deepest sympathy.

We will miss you dear friend! Don and Judy Nabors