WILTON, Conn. Martha Eloise Spetka Pollak of Wilton died June 20 at her home. She was 91.
The daughter of Roy Russell Spetka and Margaret Jenny Ish Spetka, Pollak and her four brothers grew up in Mansfield, Ohio. She graduated from Ohio State University in 1942 and served in the U.S. Coast Guard as an officer during World War II.
She met her husband, the late Capt. Charles N. Pollak, at an Officers Club dance in Washington, D.C. They were married in 1946 at Riverside Church in New York City. Pollak worked throughout her life. She was a physical education and health teacher, newspaper publisher, homemaker, bookkeeper, paralegal and PTA and Red Cross volunteer.
Pollak supported the campaign to avert efforts to build a power plant on Cockenoe Island in Westport. Her many former residences include Maracaibo and Caracas, Venezuela; Whittier and Menlo Park, Calif.; Westport, Old Greenwich, Southport and Wilton; Nantucket, Mass.; and White Sound, Abaco, Bahamas. Pollak was an active member of Cedar Point Yacht Club and Hopetown Sailing Club, which she and her husband endowed.
Though she suffered from dementia in recent years, her family said she remained an "irreverent firecracker."
She is survived by three daughters, Pamela Pollak, of Southport, Peggy (Linn Montgomery) Pollak, of Flagstaff, Ariz. and Perrin Pollak (Daniel) Damon, of Newberg, Ore.; a son, Christopher (Janice) Pollak, of Wilton, who provided her care and support in recent years with the help of her caregivers, Milla and Nathalie. Pollak is also survived by nine grandchildren.
Services will be private. Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to United Way of Coastal Fairfield County, 75 Washington Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06604.
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