Betty Margaret Pollard

With family by her side, Betty (Irene) Margaret Pollard (nee Davis), age 93, of Carmel, Indiana, died peacefully from age-related cardiovascular disease and respiratory failure on August 6, 2022 at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. She passed with dignity and grace, just as she lived her life.

Born on September 16, 1928 at Coleman Women’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, Betty was the fourth child and only daughter of the late Giles C. Davis (b. 08/23/1902, d. 11/02/1980), a hard-working master tile mason and freemason, and Margarete E. Davis (nee Haehl) (b. 08/02/1900, d. 06/19/1965), a devoted wife, mother and homemaker.

Raised with her parents and three brothers in a two-bedroom single-story house on the near south side of Indianapolis, the defining event of Betty’s youth was the U.S. Stock Market Crash of 1929 and resulting Great Depression. To help her family cope with the ensuing economic hardships leading up to World War II, Betty became adept at helping around the house, cooking, gardening, and sewing at an early age. These experiences instilled in her a strong work ethic, frugality, and perseverance in the face of adversity that would prove essential later in life.

Betty developed a love of learning and spent much of her youth reading books, attending live performances at the Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis, and enjoying the arboretum and gardens at nearby Garfield Park. She especially admired the writing styles of James Whitcomb Riley and Mark Twain.

In 1946, Betty graduated with honors from Charles E. Emmerich Manual Training High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was an accomplished student, but also sought out opportunities to help others. She served as an officer for the “Masoma’s”, a student service organization focused on the welfare of freshman girls acclimating to high school life, alumni birthday celebrations, and selling war bonds. She often wrote articles for various publications, including her high school yearbook.

In what would eventually become the highlight of Betty’s high school experience, she and eleven other female students formed the “J.E.E.N.S.” during her sophomore year: Hilda Bickel, Charlotte Hafer, Barbara Kidwell, Frances Kidwell, Phyllis Koehler, Carolyn Kuebler, Lorna Kuebler, Jean Maschmeyer, Lois Meier, Mary Ann Meincken, and Barbara Tracy. During the 1940’s, a new type of social group emerged – the “sub-deb club”. Short for “sub-debutantes club”, and especially popular in the Midwest, such clubs were comprised of teenage girls who had yet to be “introduced” to society due to their young ages. Article II of the J.E.E.N.S. constitution states “the object (sic) of this club shall be to promote friendship”. Financial penalties were assessed against members who missed club meetings, the most severe of which (twenty-five cents) was imposed for being on a “date” rather than attending a meeting of the group. The J.E.E.N.S. were very successful in accomplishing their “object” as the friendships formed continued over the decades that followed.

Betty received a full tuition scholarship to Butler University in Indianapolis, the result of her academic and extracurricular accomplishments during high school. Naturally curious, good with numbers, and a stickler for detail, she planned on becoming a laboratory technician. However, her college experience was cut short during her sophomore year by the call of matrimony. She married Ted A. Pollard (b. 08/02/1928, d. 11/22/2008) of Indianapolis, a 1947 graduate of Charles E. Emmerich Manual Training High School. Betty and her husband ran Pollard Heating and Cooling Co., a stoker company inherited from Joseph Pollard, Betty’s father-in-law. Betty assumed responsibilities for book-keeping and administration while her husband ran crews doing HVAC installations and repairs.

The marriage produced three children: daughter Sandra L. and brothers Ted D. and Vince A. Pollard. In 1955, the growing family built one of the first homes in Hillcrest Acres, a sub-division near Southport, Indiana, destined to become Betty’s residence for the next sixty years. She was the consummate mother and homemaker, cherishing each of her children and accepting the challenges of motherhood with the same zeal and commitment as her other undertakings. Thanks to her dedication, each of her children became excellent competitive swimmers and students.

Betty helped establish the former Lake Shore Swim Club, serving for many years as its secretary. Her responsibilities included writing numerous articles for local newspapers, such as The Spotlight and The Perry Township Weekly, covering results of team competitions and fund-raisers. She continued in the role after the swimming team changed its affiliation to Baxter YMCA during the late 1960’s. On innumerable mornings, she rose early to shuttle her children to-and-from swimming practices and competitions.

Betty’s marriage ended in 1971, adding the additional responsibilities of being a single parent to an already busy life. Financial and emotional challenges ensued over the next many years as she fought to provide her children with a middle-class foundation for life. Typical of the era, Betty entered the workforce and was met with harassment and discrimination. Not to be deterred, she enrolled in evening accounting classes at Indiana Central College (subsequently renamed University of Indianapolis). Betty spared no effort providing for her family, often working six days per week. Her skill with numbers and strong work ethic assured her success in various accounting positions of increasing responsibility at Stewart-Carey Glass Co., ITT Corporation, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the latter of which she retired from in 1998 as Manager of Accounting with over twenty years of service.

Reserved, yet fiercely independent, Betty was an adoring mother and effective parent. She created experiential opportunities for her children to learn life lessons. Despite the myriad of challenges faced during the 1970’s, she never lost focus on her top priority – her family. She was a single parent during an era that was intolerant of such situations. Through sheer determination, Betty overcame each obstacle as it presented itself -- her persistence and love never wavered. Despite working long hours, she attended virtually every school activity and competition her children participated in. Her dedication yielded dividends as each of her children received scholarships to complete their undergraduate college educations and went on to successful careers in education, business, and finance.

In later years, Betty took advantage of her free time to pursue favorite hobbies. A lifelong dog lover, she would often be seen walking “Muffy” or “Lucy” around Hillcrest Acres, stopping to chat with neighbors along the way. She became involved in the P. Buckley Moss Society, collecting many prints and special editions from the painter and illustrator of Amish family life. She also became an avid collector of bird houses, displaying many throughout her home. Finding new and unique bird houses to give “Grammie” became a family tradition. Always looking for opportunities to help those in need, Betty also gave generously of her time to extended family members and friends alike who did not have others willing to assist them as they grew older.

Although not a regular churchgoer in her later years, Betty was nonetheless a very spiritual person. As a founding member of Southport Christian Church – Disciples of Christ, she brought a strong sense of ethics and commitment to the congregation. Her spirit of duty to other people permeated her life to the end.

Most importantly, Betty’s later years were characterized by spending as much time as possible with family and friends, whom she cherished. Every year she purchased either a Madame Alexander® or American Girl® doll for each of her granddaughters so they might have something to remember her by. Likewise, Betty purchased a metal scale model IndyCar® or NASCAR® for each of her grandsons. Taking care of her family was always front-of-mind.

In addition to her parents, Betty was predeceased by her three brothers Robert P. Davis (b. 04/28/1922, d. 04/12/2006), a successful chemist responsible for more than twenty commercial patents while employed by Proctor and Gamble Co.; Kenneth C. Davis (b. 02/15/1926, d. 07/17/1984), a successful entrepreneur, founder, and co-owner of Speedway Auto Parts; and Richard E. Davis (b. 02/10/1924, d. 02/07/1937), who died in childhood of appendicitis, just shy of this thirteenth birthday. Brothers Robert and Kenneth both served admirably during World War II in the United States Navy.

Surviving Betty are her three children, daughter Sandra L. Corso (Leonard M. Corso); son Ted D. Pollard (Deborah I. Allen); and son Vince A. Pollard (Shika C. Jones Pollard). Also surviving are granddaughters Andrea R. Corso (Steve Brockner); Erica L. Corso (Megan O’Hare); Katherine A. Pollard (Conner Woodland); Anne E. Burke (Andrew Burke); and Rebecca A. Pollard; grandsons Morgan V., Liam M., and Reece H. Pollard; and great grandson Jordan P. Burke. Betty also leaves a very long list of loved relatives and dear friends.

The lives of those who knew Betty were enriched greatly by her love and friendship. She was a kind-hearted and caring woman, devoted mother, friend, and confidant to many. She was quick to take on the troubles of others and ease their burdens. No person has exhibited more passion and desire to do what is right and help others in need . . . and no child could be prouder to have called her “Mom”.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life for Betty on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at Family Funeral Care, 5791 Rockville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46224. Memorial Visitation will be from 1:00pm – 2:00pm and a Memorial Service will take place from 2:00pm – 3:00pm, followed by a reception, including food and beverages.

Directions to Family Funeral Care may be found at:

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/indianapolis-in/family-funeral-care-rockville-west/4085

Online condolences and entries to Betty’s memory book may be made at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/betty-pollard-10875091

In lieu of flowers, Betty requested donations be made to IndyHumane in Indianapolis. Donation information may be found at: https://indyhumane.org/about/ways-to-give/