Minnie C. Pollett

Our beloved matriarch of the family, Minnie Pollett, passed away peacefully on June 9, 2021, with much of her family around her. Minnie/Mom/Nona was quite an amazing person whose 81 years on this Earth truly made her community better. Her life was a wonderful journey filled with small, daily acts of kindness and love. Minnie was a courageous, vibrant, life-long learner. As a first generation American coming from a tight-knit Croatian community in San Pedro, California, her task was to blend Yugoslavian and America cultures into one life. She was raised so immersed in their native culture that she began kindergarten not speaking English. After going all through the Catholic school system, finishing up at Mary Star of the Sea High School, her life changed forever when she met and married that handsome guy from the public schools, Larry Pollett. Together they moved to Washington, raised a family of four, and all the while Minnie kept learning. She participated in a Bible study for years, belonged to her beloved book club for over 45 years, taught herself to become an avid quilter, and worked hard to stay current in political and world events. She also worked for the Ferndale School District for 25 years, supporting struggling students. She became interested in music and hosted many people to support Bellingham’s famed Festival of Music. Minnie was also a great baby “cuddler” at St. Joseph Hospital for years. Throughout her life, those values of love, family, community, support and friendship continued to be the pillars of her life – and what she instilled in all of us. The bedrock of Minnie’s life was her deep faith – in God and humanity. She lived by the belief “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. In the Catholic Church, Minnie was a Minister of the Cup and participated for years in the Prayer Shawl ministry at Sacred Heart Church. She donated her beautiful quilts to the Cancer Center, the Teen Center, and gave her creations of love to so many friends and family to commemorate special events. Minnie also believed in the good of humanity. Her actions, her politics and her heartfelt conversations reflected her passion Perhaps the best evidence of a life well lived is her family. She and Larry taught us the meaning of the words “commitment” and “devotion”. Minnie and Larry have four children, who added to the family through marriage and births. Each addition made the family better. Lisa/Greg, Dennis/Lori, Christopher/Greta and Robin/Jeff plus 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, the “littles” brought such joy! And Mom KNEW each of us. She knew our joys and our challenges- and loved us through them all. Celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary with a cruise around the San Juan Islands with their 28 immediate family members are treasured memories for all. Holidays with “the fam” were an event to behold! The more, the merrier! And at the end, Minnie told us she “was ready”. As her body gave out the last few months, her mind stayed sharp and so she treasured every interaction with “her people”. We will miss her dearly, but special memories and her guidance will stay with us forever. A mass will be held Thursday, July 22nd at Sacred Heart Church in Bellingham, with a reception to follow.

Minnie C. Pollett

April 8, 1940 - June 9, 2021