Fay Pollock

Fay Pollock of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on February 10, 2014, 11 Adar I 5774. Services will be held Sunday, February 16, 2014, at 2 PM, in the Groman Eden Chapel. Burial will follow at Eden Memorial Park. Ms. Pollock is survived by her son, Jeff Schummer. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the National Institute of Mental Health. www.nimh.nih.gov Arrangements are under the direction of Groman Eden Mortuary.

National Institute of Mental Health

Gift Fund

6001 Executive Blvd. Room 6101 MSC 9655

Bethesda, MD 9655

Checks or Money Orders Accepted

Fay's obituary was written by her son, Jeff Schummer.

A tribute to my mother and her beautiful soul...

My mother was ever the optimist, always looking ahead, looking for the good in others, and always offering a kind word to say about everyone she encountered. She loved people, and life, and had a special flare, a certain gene se qua, if you will, which in French, means something distinctive or attractive. You could say that she was a rather flamboyant spirit, that fully enjoyed all that life offered. She would strike up a lively conversation with anyone she came into contact with.

She was kind, gentle, and generous. If you were ever having a bad day, or a difficult moment, she would lift your spirit with her big smile and effusive compliments. She would greet you often by saying, "You look marvelous, stunning, gorgeous, or handsome".

My mother was drawn to the entertainment business. In her younger years, she took an interest in acting, modeling, and singing; just picking up on the spur of the moment, and moving from Van Nuys to New York City, for a year, to be a part of all the action on Broadway. She was also a talented painter, who introduced me to the world of art and music; the wonders of botanical gardens; and astronomy, from a telescope she bought me as a young boy, to gaze upon the stars above.

Never known for her inhibition, my mother was always ready to break into a song whenever the mood struck, or greet you with an affectionate hug. She also liked to plant a great big kiss on your cheek, with her bright red lipstick leaving her signature of affection for all to see.

I have been truly blessed to have her as a mother. She was soft and gentle, yet had an inner strength and spirituality that sustained her through the many hardships of her life. She endured the loss a son, the loss of a younger brother at the age of eighteen, and a life long struggle with her mental health.

My mother loved to give others gifts, they were never lavish or extravagant, just little things like thoughtful greeting cards, with beautifully hand-written notes; she truly had beautiful handwriting (elegant and flowing); small stuffed animals; interesting books and magazines; and t-shirts and coffee mugs, that made you feel special.

My mother taught me kindness, goodwill, generosity, the value of building self-esteem, honesty, loyalty, and trustworthiness.

But the greatest gift of all was the importance of saying three simple words, "I love you". Whenever we visited on the phone or went out together, she told me repeatedly how much she loved me. What more could a son ask for than a mother's unconditional love, and hearing over and over, those three simple, yet powerful, words?

She also loved G-d, and wholeheartedly embraced her religion by attending services in San Antonio as often as she could. I can't tell you how much she enjoyed her congregation, for it not only provided her with a spiritual foundation, but was a refreshing social setting to meet and make new friends. My mom always felt closer to G-d when she attended services' where she prayed often for her family; and grandchildren, Brittany, Bridgette, Billy, Bobby, Sam; her great-grandchildren; her adoring cousins, Mark and Amy; and all her close friends. I know because she told me so, and I know because I personally felt those prayers. She always asked me how everyone was doing, and would go down the list... all the kids, Ronda, Mark, and Amy, heck, even her ex-husbands. She cared about everyone. I never heard her utter a harsh word toward others. She loved her family dearly, and often spoke of how much she missed all that had passed on.

Now she too has gone, as we all must. She is reunited with her father in Heaven, and her family, where there is no more pain, no more suffering, no more debilitating mental illness to battle with. She is now whole again, happy, free, clear of mind, and one with G-d. I know these things to be true because I possess a strong faith that they are.

Thank you Mom, for everything you have taught me, and for the wonderful journey we have had together. You ran the race of life with great gusto, giving it your all. I love you Mom... and will always and forever be grateful to you. To use one of your superlatives, you were absolutely MAGNIFICIANT!