Marilyn Mae Pollock

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Marilyn Pollock Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 3, 2023.

Marilyn Mae Pollock (Gammell), age 85, embarked on her final adventure on July 19, 2023. She is survived by her children, Deb "Paisley" Hillegeist, Bill (Maria) Pollock, & Cynnie (Stephen) Blaising, & nine grandchildren. Born on March 12, 1938 in Olympia, WA to Henry & Francella Gammell, Marilyn graduated from Menlo Atherton High School in Atherton, CA She also attended College of the Pacific & UC Berkeley. Married to Alan Robert Pollock until his passing in 2003, together they raised three children, owned Crossroads Travel in Oak Park for over 40 years, & resided in Glen Ellyn, Oak Park, & River Forest, IL. A world traveler and musician, she then lived in Forest Park & Wheaton, IL. Marilyn wintered in Scottsdale, AZ enjoying the company of her sister, Shirley Bonifasi until her death in 2020. She graduated from Triton College in 2017. Despite going blind in 2018, she remained fiercely independent with the help of her leader dog, Uma. Marilyn led an adventurous life which we will celebrate in Wheaton over Labor Day weekend. In lieu of flowers, donations to leaderdog.org would be appreciated.

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Recent Activity

March 6, 2025

Linda Brazis posted to the memorial.

August 12, 2023

Rita Mason posted to the memorial.

August 3, 2023

Linda Brazis posted to the memorial.

3 Entries

Linda Brazis

March 6, 2025

I am sure that even in her " new home" Marilyn is still "traveling"!

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Rita Mason

August 12, 2023

I met Marilyn at Leaderdog for the Blind in 2020. We had continued our friendship via phone. I visited her in Scottsdale , AZ. I was able to pet Uma. I met her daughter and several grandchildren. She was vivacious. I met her when she was 82. I was shocked to hear from her that she was 82. Her character and personality were younger than her years. We supported each other through our journey of being blind. I will miss her and our conversations and support. She inspired me. With greatest sympathy, Rita Mason

Linda Brazis

August 3, 2023

What a woman. For 50 years I have been awed, inspired and taught by Marilyn. I have known maybe 2 other women with unending energy, intelligence, enthusiasm, loyalty and good heartedness in my life. Being a "burden" to anyone was not her in vocabulary or her mindset. Never knew anyone who adapted so completely to challenges in her life. She was singular in her adaptation to the loss of vision in 2018. She employed tech in every way to accommodate that and continue to live independently, and with gusto. Not too long after her vision loss she told me, "Shirley (her much beloved sister) and I are going to Norway so see the Northern Lights." Then she took sailing lessons on Lake Michigan. Yep, sailing lessons. There'll never be another Marilyn. Much love to her, Cynnie, and the Pollock family.

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