Leah L Pollman

Leah L. Pollman passed away at the age of 83 on April 10, 2014 at her home surrounded by family. Leah (Lee) was born as a first generation American in Dallas, Texas to parents Dylah and Abe Lichtenstein. Her parents emigrated from Eastern Europe to Kaufman and established The Fair Store, the town’s main dry goods store. This background afforded Leah and her sisters the opportunity to work for, achieve, and live the American dream.

In 1949, as a young freshman at the University of Texas, Leah met her future husband, Harold Pollman, an energetic law student from North Dakota. It was love at first sight for both, and they were married at the Adolphus Hotel by Rabbi David Lefkowitz in 1950. They lived in Dallas from 1956, surrounded by a large extended family. Their home was the gathering place for numerous holiday celebrations and Sunday afternoon pool parties, with Leah ever the gracious hostess.

As a couple, they were fortunate enough to travel the globe together and to take advantage of all that the world, America, and Dallas had to offer. With their three young daughters in tow they embarked on adventures and discovered the beauty and culture of Mexico. For decades, the family spent every holiday season in the sunny climate of old Acapulco, which became Leah’s second home. Acapulco captivated Leah’s heart from the very beginning and she eventually became a part of the community, making life-long friends (both American and Mexican) as she spent more and more time there as the years passed.

Leah is preceded in death by her parents, Dylah and Abe Lichtenstein, and her husband Harold. She is survived by her devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl Pollman, Janet and Terry Kafka, and Marcie and Michael Brown. Leah is also survived by her loving sisters, Rai Silver Baras and Sylvia Silven; five grandchildren, Philip Kafka, Dylah Werbner, Ben Werbner, Dylan Brown and Mason Brown; her nieces Karen Guilmette, Laura Levy, Peggy Wilson, Kerry Silver, Beth Seeger, and Jacquie Klein; and her two nephews, David Silven and Mark Rentz. Leah also leaves many dear cousins with whom she grew up in small towns scattered across North and East Texas.

Anyone who ever met Lee Pollman was struck not only by her inner and outer beauty, but also by her intellect, wit and her knack for connecting with people of all nationalities and of every walk of life. Leah had a beautiful smile and eyes that sparkled with her love of life. Despite many years of illness, she lived life to the fullest, and her kind, quiet manner belied the tough core that kept her fighting on in the face of many adversities. She was an elegant individual who was interested in and respected whoever she met. Lee was simply an engaging, charismatic person to be around. She could talk for hours with anyone at any time. She always had sage advice for her daughters and her grandchildren.

A special thank you to the wonderful caregivers who were so loving and compassionate: Nimfa King, Alma David, Sandy Romero, and Maria Munoz, and especially Tawya Clark (TC), who became Mom’s true friend and companion over the past several years.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 13th, at 1:30 PM, at Temple Emanu-El, Olan Sanctuary, 8500 Hillcrest Drive, Dallas, with reception following in Pollman Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations may be made in Leah Pollman’s honor to Temple Emanu-El, NCJW Greater Dallas, the North Texas Food Bank, or to the charity of your choice.