Denise Carole Pollak, 75, of Salinas, California, passed away on November 19, 2025, with family by her side. Born on September 29, 1950, in Santa Rosa, California, Denise was the child of Betty and Jay Hansen. She graduated from Humboldt State University in 1972 and received her teaching credential in 1973.
Her life’s work was teaching, having initially taught in McKinleyville, California, and Waveland, Mississippi. Denise retired in 2015 after teaching second grade at Castroville Elementary School for over 25 years. She touched the lives of her students, who, as adults, still remember her as their favorite teacher.
Denise was the President of Salinas Area Reading For Fun, a charity that provides free books to children at over 30 elementary schools in the Salinas Valley. She spent her time knitting, sewing, league bowling, and gardening, but she mostly enjoyed playing with her grandchildren.
Denise is survived by her husband, Ken Pollak; her daughter, Erin Ghaffary; her son, Kyle Pollak; and five beautiful grandchildren.
