Elene Tallman

Elene Tallman

December 22, 1938 - November 30, 2025

Santa Maria - Elene M. Tallman, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at the age of 86, in Santa Maria, California.

Elene was born on December 22, 1938, in Iraklion, Crete, Greece, where she was raised. She later met an American airman, her first husband and the father of her children, Donald Ray Polly (RIP). Through his service in the United States Air Force, they lived in Tripoli, Libya, before coming to the United States and ultimately settling in Lompoc, California, where Elene raised her children. She later moved to Santa Maria, California.

For many years, Elene worked as a manicurist at Odile's Beauty Salon in Lompoc. Cooking was her greatest passion and her love language, and she delighted in preparing meals for family and friends. She also loved to travel, though her favorite destination was always her beloved homeland of Greece. Elene was a loyal and devoted parishioner of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; her daughter, Donna Aguirre; and her son, George Polly. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Tallman; her son, Nick (Jennifer) Polly; her daughter, Era Polly; her son-in-law, Raul Aguirre; her daughter-in-law, Cathy Polly; her grandchildren, Corinna Polly Cortez, Sonny Aguirre, Erin (Jeremy) Castillo, George (Nicole) Polly & Samantha Polly; her great-grandchildren, Maya Figone, Luke Castillo, Henry Castillo, George Polly III & Ellie Polly; and many extended family members & dear friends, including Lawnae Hunter of Bend, Oregon, and Odile Schwartz of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Elene will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and unwavering faith, and for the love she shared so freely with everyone who knew her.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 877 Francine Lane, Santa Maria, CA 93455. A graveside service at Santa Maria Cemetery will follow.

Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.