Mary Lou Pollard

MARY LOU POLLARD (née Caskey) It is with great sadness that the family announces the death of their beloved Mary Lou, in the Royal Jubilee Hospital on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at the age of 78. Predeceased by her cherished parents, Ray and Ada Caskey. Survived by her devoted husband of over 58 years, Richard Pollard and her two children, Aaron (Stephen Lawson), Carmen (Brock Ellis). Loving, adoring grandmother to Cassius Ellis. Eldest and faithful sister to Bonnie Derry and Dawne Ambler she treasured her nephews and nieces Jonathan, James, Giuseppe, Scott, Tim and Eileen and leaves behind many faithful friends including but not limited to Allan, Fern, Gisela, Gordon, Jack, Sandra and Sheila.

Socially and civically engaged for over 25 years as a teacher and lover of music, Mary Lou touched the lives of her many collaborators and colleagues, along with countless school-children and their families. She maintained a wide variety of interests, including education, (musical theatre, mathematics, literature, committed approaches to learning and childhood development), music (piano, violin, barbershop and choral singing), square dancing (Country Cousins, Star Twirlers), round dancing (Dance Arounds), sewing, knitting, crochet and petit-point. Thoughtful, careful, open-minded and sometimes deeply opinionated, Mary Lou studied at UBC and the University of Victoria (BA - education) and at the University of Oregon (MA - education). Throughout her career as an elementary school teacher she taught at Thrift in White Rock, Seaview in Port Moody, Kengard in Merritt and at MaCaulay and Lake Hill in Victoria. After retirement, Mary Lou sang with the Sweet Adelines’ City of Gardens and Lions Gate Chorus and with the Starlight Pops.

Mary Lou was first and foremost a powerful matriarch with a passion for her family and for nurturing relationships. She will be remembered as a fiercely loyal wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, aunt, friend and teacher who always strove to offer her best to those around her. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Canadian Red Cross.

A celebration of life for Mary Lou will be held Saturday, August 27, 2022 at 2:00 PM at First Memorial Funeral Services, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, British Columbia V8Y1B4.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialsaanich.com for the POLLARD family.