Wilma Pollet
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WILMA POLLET
Greece – Wilma (Willy) Pollet, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully with family at her side on March 6, 2023, just twenty days shy of her 88th birthday.
Willy is survived by her adoring daughter, Melissa (Bill) Pollet-Swidorski, her treasured grandchildren, Billy and Rose, her brother Ronald (Barbara) Miller, her nephew Mark (Nancy) Eillis, her beloved “adopted” daughter, Maura Walker, and “adopted” grandchildren, Aidan and Ava Tressel, and many loving friends near and dear. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 54 years, Al Pollet, her father, Bill (Dusty) Miller, mother Alice (Wren) Miller, and sister Joan (Miller) Greeney.
After graduating from West High School in 1954, Willy became a switchboard operator for Rochester Telephone, where a friend introduced her a farm boy named Al. The rest, they say, is history. Al and Willy bought their “starter house” where they lived for all their marriage. Willy transformed this house into a home, decorating with holiday magic, baking for all the neighborhood children, offering the comfort of the extra bedroom to those in need, caring for sick family members, and so much more.
After retiring from Rochester Tel., Willy devoted herself as a full-time mother and wife and began volunteering at both Our Mother of Sorrows School and Church as a lunch mom and hall coordinator, respectively, for twenty-eight years. She treasured these years and was adored at OMOS. The children lovingly coined her “The Sarg” for her booming voice, shrill whistle, and larger than life personality.
Willy will be remembered for her kindness and heart of gold, her skill at BINGO, her love for John Wayne (“What a man!”), her contagious laugh and sense of humor, and of course, her hair. She loved crafting, gardening, and helping out at the family farm. Most of all, she loved her family fiercely. She will be dearly missed.
The family wishes to express sincerest gratitude to the caregivers at Caring Hearts of Rochester, mostly notably Connie, and to The Friendly Home for their commitment and love to Willy.
Willy’s visitation will be Thursday, March 16 from 4-7pm at Vay-schleich & meeson 1075 Long Pond Road. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, March 18th at 10: 30 AM at Our Mother of Sorrows Church 5000 Mt. Read Blvd. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Contributions in Willy’s name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Alzheimer’s Association. And in Willy’s honor, go have a “beer.” For more information and to sign her online guestbook, visit www.meesonfamily.com
Melissa and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was a gem and a great friend. Sharon Lunde
Dear Pollet Family, I worked at Fay’s/Eckerd’s/Walgreen’s/Rite Aid Pharmacy at the corner of Dewey/Latta for 34 years. I retired 10 years ago, but there were a few customers that definitely left their mark on me. Two of them were your Mom & Dad. I knew them both for years, and they were by far my favorites! I got to know your Dad first…we used to talk about his land, and how my brother & sister-in-law rented the house in 1972 when they first got married. And then how sad it was that they had to sell the tree farm. Then I met your Mom, and she was so funny, we quickly became good friends! Every time she came in, I would get the biggest smile on my face. We would talk until I could feel others wanting me to get back to work! We used to talk about how we both had just one daughter, and how fun it was. When I left the Pharmacy, I took many great memories with me, and I missed my "people" so much! I just wanted to let you know how very sorry I am for the loss of your beautiful Mom, and I’m sure she’s up in Heaven with your Dad, laughing and happy to be with him again. And always watching over your family. Sincerely, Marilyn Kearns