Frances Justine Pollick (Emerson), was born in Yonkers but grew up in the town of Hastings on Hudson. She was outgoing, playing on the softball team, and was a member of a local roller skate troupe called the Roller Rockets. She was a huge fan of the singer Eddie Fisher. She often told me of how she and her girlfriends would cut school to watch him perform. She graduated from Hastings High in 1951. Eventually, as luck would have it, she met Donald Pollick and they fell in love. They started their own family in Yonkers with two sons, Ed and Tim, and a daughter Judy. Soon they moved back to the house she grew up in, in Hastings. Fran and Donald were devout Catholics, and Donald was ordained as a permanent Deacon in 1974. Fran would later act as a Eucharistic Minister as well.
Fran always showed an abundance of love and caring for children, and had a special gift for working with those with special needs. She first worked at Ferncliff Manor and then for NY State as a care taker and manager of a group home for developmentally disabled adults. She made a huge difference in their lives. She was also very involved with the Right to Life movement.
When she retired she turned her focus to her own growing family. She became known as “Nanny” and Donald became “Pop-Pop” to their grandchildren, Sara, Jeremy, and Chris, then Michael. Fran’s family continued to grow with another grandchild, Isabelle, and greatgrandchildren as well, Jake, Aubrey, Ainsley, Carmine and Daniel. Not to mention several nieces and nephews. Nanny took care of and helped raise all of them, whether directly or by the example she set.
There is not enough time or space to write of all she has done. It will have to be enough to simply say she led a life of love and charity to others
Fran never lost her sweet disposition and sense of humor, even when dementia set in, and she was forced to use a wheel chair to get around. Nanny will be missed dearly by friends and family but through her example she will continue to provide guidance and courage to all who remember her.
Having had her as a Mother an Aunt, a Nanny or a friend has made me, and I believe, all of us rich beyond measure.
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