Geraldine Dixon Pollander

Pollander, Geraldine Dixon

July 8, 1935 - April 30, 2023

Mrs. Geraldine Dixon Pollander died on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at the Salemtowne Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, N.C. Geri was born on July 8, 1935 in Winston-Salem to the late Thomas Marion Dixon and Geraldine Kirkman Dixon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Thomas M. Dixon, Jr. and Robert K. Dixon as well as her husband Peter Martin Pollander.

Geri was raised in Winston-Salem, was a lifelong member of Home Moravian church, and was a 5th generation Moravian whose great, great grandparents' home still stands in Old Salem. Her family's Moravian history and involvement were very important to her. At an early age, she learned to play several musical instruments, joining her father and brothers in the Moravian Band. Rising early to play in the Easter Sunrise Service was a regular part of life. Until her diagnosis of dementia, she would set her clock to be awake in the predawn hours to hear the band play at its various stops across town.

Geri was educated at R.J. Reynolds high school (class of 1953) where she was a member of the National Honor Society and the marching band. She graduated from St. Mary's College for Women in Raleigh (class of 1955) and UNC Chapel Hill (class of 1957). While at UNC, she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and met her future husband at a fraternity/sorority event. It was in 1957 that UNC won its first National Championship in basketball. Geri was a passionate ACC sports fan her entire life, routinely filling out brackets and winning bets on her predictions with friends and coworkers. With seven other family members being UNC graduates, she got a special kick out of joking with her son-in-law who is the lone Duke graduate!

After graduating with a degree in Sociology, Geri worked as a social worker at what was then Memorial Hospital, now UNC Hospitals. She enjoyed her few post-graduation years living in Chapel Hill with good friends. She returned to Winston-Salem and married in 1960. As a young woman, she followed in her paternal grandmother's footsteps in becoming a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Colonial Dames, and the Junior Woman's Club. She was also a member of the Women's Fellowship at Home Moravian Church. Geri played a significant role in raising her daughters. One of her greatest gifts was a profound love of all animals. Until her death, Geri would light up if any animal came into the neighborhoods at Salemtowne. Geri was a quiet, strong woman who taught her daughters the importance of listening vs. speaking; the virtues of kindness and compassion; and the incredible power of loyalty and commitment. After retiring from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School system, she took care of her husband and her mother until their deaths.

With her husband's untimely death at age 62, Geri moved to Salemtowne Retirement Community and reconnected with childhood, high school, and church friends. She played in the handbell choir at church and the chimes choir at Salemtowne. She also volunteered on the residents' council as well as in the gift shop. Geri spent many good years in this community and her family is grateful to Salemtowne.

Surviving are her daughters, Drew P. Nagy (Paul) of Durham; Mary Beth Pollander (Christy Knight) of Stokesdale, and a grandson, Christopher Nagy of Chapel Hill.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at Home Moravian Church in Old Salem led by The Rev. Ginny Tobiassen. The family will receive friends following the service at a reception in the church parlor.

Memorials may be made to Salemtowne Retirement Community, 190 Moravian Way Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or Home Moravian Church, 529 South Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106