Thelma Tulchin Pogensky

Thelma Tulchin Pogensky

Thelma Tulchin Pogensky passed away on Sunday, July 5, 2009, on her 85th birthday, completing the circle of a rich and fulfilling life.

Thelma's greatest concern was for others; in all her endeavors she strove to be sure that no one would be left out or treated unfairly. And in spite of some physical limitations in recent years, she never complained or criticized others. If anyone typified the word "lady" in the best sense of the word, it was Thelma.

Thelma was born and grew up in Fall River, Massachusetts.

As a young woman, she made her way to New York City, where she worked for some years as a management executive, traveling at times to southwest Virginia to oversee production for her company.

In New York, she met her husband, a podiatrist, and she worked with him for over 40 years. They lived in Somers, Westchester County, New York, for 20 years, moving from there to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1996.

Thelma was the beloved wife of Doctor Bernard Pogensky; the dear aunt of Harris and his wife, Carla Tulchin, and of Aline Clark; the loving great-aunt of Sarah, Ashley, Rebecca, Skyler, Taylor, and Brett Tulchin.

She is also mourned by her brothers-in-law, Norman Pogensky, Leonard and his wife, Gloria Pogensky, and their children, Nancy and her husband, Douglas, Pogensky; and great-nieces and nephews, Gita and Kieshia Pogensky-Miller and Cassie and Nina Pogensky.

She was beloved and will be sorely missed by her many friends.

Until her illness in the last month, Thelma led an active life. She worked as a volunteer for Charlottesville Hadassah as well as for the Democratic Party and was a member of Congregation Beth Israel. She was a member of the Film Society and with her husband Bernie, she enjoyed traveling and the Tuesday evening concerts, the theater, opera, movie-going, reading and her book club, OLLI classes for seniors, ACAC classes, and attending the Miller Center and other University of Virginia programs. She was an excellent cook and a wonderful hostess.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at Hill and Wood Funeral Chapel, followed by interment at the Hebrew Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Doctors without Borders, 333 Seventh Avenue, Second Floor, New York, NY 10001.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.