Emma Ruth Pollock

Emma Ruth Pollock

LAKEVILLE — Emma Ruth Pollock was born in Ogdensburg, New York, on July 21, 1933. She was the oldest child of Wilbur Pollock and Evelyn Webster Pollock who later settled in Mannsville, New York. She was valedictorian of her high school class and met her husband, the Rev. Gerard B. Pollock during her freshman year at Houghton College in Houghton, New York. They were married Sept. 11, 1954. The couple raised their 4 children in the Methodist parsonages of the churches to which her husband was appointed. They spent the years from 1963-1984 at the Lakeville United Methodist Church in Lakeville.

Emma’s family tree included 5 generations of Methodist clergy, and she was a gifted pianist and organist. She was the children’s choir director for the time spent in Lakeville and became the full-time organist for the Pawling United Methodist Church during her ten years there. The couple retired to her hometown of Mannsville, and she continued to be the organist for almost 30 years, for her home church, until Jan. of this year. She was the pianist at the Dempster Grove Camp Meeting in New Haven, New York for many 10-day summer camp meeting programs, where her family had been members of the association for 5 generations. Her husband “Gerry” passed away in 2013 and Emma continued to reside in Mannsville until this spring when her health issues brought her to Avon Health Care in Avon, Connecticut to be closer to her children.

In Lakeville, Emma volunteered her time to her children’s Girl Scout and Cub Scout troops and in a classroom at Salisbury Central School. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School classes. As her children grew older, she worked in the special education department at the North Canaan Elementary School. In nearby New York, she later substituted in music at the Webutuck Elementary School and taught at the Amenia Day Nursery. As a member of the Lakeville United Methodist Women’s group, she helped with the luncheons served to the Salisbury Rotary Club, which met in the LUMC every Tuesday. Eventually, she took over the responsibility of leading this group. She both planned and cooked these meals every week for about 10 years, until her husband was appointed to Pawling UMC.

Emma is survived by one of her 4 siblings, the Reverand Wilbur”Bill” Pollock of Florida. Emma was predeceased by a baby brother Timothy, her brother John and his wife Carol of Mannsville, as well as her sister Eleanor P. Harter, also of Mannsville. She is survived by her daughters Nancy P. Williams and her husband Dennis, of Millerton, Dr. Susan P. May of Farmington, Heidi Versland and her husband Dr. Mark Versland of Avon, as well as her son Christopher M. Pollock and his wife Christine of Hancock, Massachusetts. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Dr. Christopher May. Emma had 8 grandsons and was predeceased by her grandson Dr. Andrew May. She has 10 great-grandchildren and recently received the good news of another baby to be born. Emma kept in touch with her many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, 2 p.m. at the Mannsville United Methodist Church, Mannsville, NY. Donations in her memory may be made to the Lakeville United Methodist Church.

Latest News

Linda Kaplan

MILLERTON — Linda Kaplan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, cousin and friend, passed away Sept. 3, 2024. Linda will be remembered as a deeply kind woman guided by faith, family and love.

Linda was born to Francis Crawford and Lydia Johnson (nee Snyder) in Sharon, on Sept. 14, 1942. She attended Webutuck High School in Millerton, and then started her career in banking, where she worked until her retirement as a Vice President. Linda was a loving mother who raised her two sons and instilled in them her love of faith and family.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cornwall Studio Tour captures rural arts scene

David Colbert with one of his sculptures on the sculpture walk he has created over 35 years.

Robin Roraback

The Cornwall Open Studio took place on Saturday, Aug. 31. It is a Cornwall tradition and has been taking place for eighteen years.

It is a day when Cornwall artists invite the public into their studios to see what they are working on and how they do it. The artists work in various media, including painting, sculpture, photography and artistic shoes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Follow your nose to Railroad Street

Fresh donuts by Hanna Rybolt at ILSE Coffee.

Kayla Jacquier

Something scrumptious is cooking beneath Colonial Theatre.

Pastries by Hanna was established in February of 2024 at 27 Railroad St. in North Canaan. The owner, Hanna Rybolt, is a resident of Canaan who studied in the pastry program at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Keep ReadingShow less