Helen Anne Pollard, age 80, of Catawissa (Breezy Knolls), passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on Friday, April 19, 1940 in Lost Creek, Schuylkill County, a daughter of the late Michael A. and Anna (Eye) McDonald.
Helen graduated from the Mahanoy City High School in 1958. On July 2, 1960, Helen married her loving husband, James T. Pollard, who preceded her in death on September 9, 1997. For over 25 years, Helen was employed by The Bloomsburg Hospital as an Emergency Room Unit Desk Clerk until her retirement in 1998.
She was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church, and loved attending mass. She was an avid reader and enjoyed perusing books at The Bloomsburg Library. She also had a notorious green thumb, and took pride in tending to her many plants and flowers around her house. She was a huge Notre Dame fan, and never missed a game, but always watched them from her own house for good luck. She was a beloved neighbor, and many who lived nearby considered her as more family than friend. She continued special bonds with them all her life. Her greatest love and pride of her life was her close family. She and her late husband, Jim, whom she cherished, raised four children, and she was blessed with nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. They all live close, and spent many happy hours visiting and playing in her yard (epic kick-ball games). She was the Matriarch: she watched all the babies, attended all the different sporting events, gave the best advice, and was the best "Keeper of Secrets." She led by example, and taught her children to be grateful and kind. Her family was beyond blessed to have her wisdom, love and grace in their lives.
In addition to her parents, and husband, Helen was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Hullihan, a brother, Joseph McDonald, and a sister-in-law, Rosemary Pollard.
Survivors include her four beloved children; three daughters, Terri, wife of Bo Pursel of Danville, Maureen, wife of Jack Naumann of Bloomsburg, Judi, wife of Rob Ashford of Bloomsburg, a son, Jim Pollard and wife Terri of Catawissa, nine grandchildren: Kristin, wife of Sean Hogue of Danville, Casey, wife of Tyler Coombe of Bloomsburg, Corey Fisher and wife Sarah of Bloomsburg, Allison Naumann of Danville, Meghan Ashford of Bloomsburg, Zachary Ashford of Bloomsburg, Sarah Pollard of Bloomsburg, Molly Ashford of Bloomsburg, Kate Pollard of Catawissa, three great grandchildren, Crue Coombe, Trey Coombe, Payton Fisher, a brother-in-law, Howard Pollard of Barnesville, a sister-in-law, Lorraine Carduff of Mt. Carmel, and many nieces and nephews.
A time of visitation for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 from 9:00 am to 10:00 am at St. Columba Catholic Church, 342 Iron St., Bloomsburg.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:00 am at St. Columba Catholic Church with Monsignor Robert E. Lawrence, celebrant. Graveside committal services will immediately follow in the St. Joseph's Cemetery, Ashland. The Allen Funeral Home, Inc., 745 Market at Eighth Streets, Bloomsburg is honored to be serving the Pollard family.