Carrucan Chronicles

I wanted to let you know that Mom passed away on July 3rd.  She passed away peacefully.  Below is her obituary.  I thought you would want to know.  She had a beautiful sendoff with Irish music and bagpipes!  She loved it I’m sure! Our cousin Patsy Carrucan of Fanore Ireland had made a CD and John and I had brought a copy back the last time we were in Ireland and Mom loved it.  There was a song from it that someone had written words to for Patsy’s Dad when he passed some years ago - “the hills above Fanore” - and Patsy put music to it and Mom wanted it played at her funeral.  So of course we did.  It was the last song played at the church.  Of course it was a long song and the priest kept starting to leave, but the song continued.  I started to chuckle, because knowing Mom, she too was chuckling, because everyone was waiting for the end of the song but yet it continued.  Once again, Mom’s sense of humor continued! 

On Saturday we buried Mom, it was a beautiful day!

Elizabeth Patricia Pollinger nee Speakman peacefully passed away on Sunday, July 3, 2011 surrounded by her family after many long, courageous battles with illnesses.

Her first job was as a waitress at Govatos Restaurant on Market Street and then went to work at Bancroft Mills. Betty married the love of her life, John M. "Jay" Pollinger Sr., in June 1949 and they raised five children together. She returned to work years later and retired as office manager for The Kahl Company in Wilmington.

Betty enjoyed a very active social life. She was very active in the Democratic Party and worked on John F. Kennedy's presidential campaign. She was also the Democratic chairwoman for her district, served on the Pinecrest Civic Association, worked for years and ran the Cake Booth at St. John the Beloved Carnival, was an active member of St. John the Beloved Parish, helped found and served on the board of the New Castle County Irish Society and was a member of the Irish Culture Club of Delaware. Betty and Jay enjoyed traveling and Irish music. Many years ago, they were fortunate to have traveled to Fanore, Ireland with the Irish Society, where Betty found her Irish relatives. Betty and Jay enjoyed several other trips to Ireland, and had the pleasure of having their Irish relatives visit with them. They continued to keep in touch by telephone and cards. Betty's Irish wit and sense of humor kept her going!

She was predeceased by her mom and dad, Mary E. Sullivan Speakman and Walter M. Speakman; her grandparents, Ellen Carrucan Sullivan and Daniel Sullivan; her brothers, Walter M. Speakman Jr., John D. Speakman and James Speakman; and her sister, Anne Paulman.

Betty is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 62 years, John M. Pollinger; her children, John M. Jr. (Gail), Chris, Deb Buckels (Jeff), Mary Ellen Manley (John) and Lisa Ciminello; her 11 grandchildren; and her 11 great-grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses who cared for mom during her illness. A special thank you to Dr. Gilani and Nikki and Tiffany of Compassionate Care Hospice who so lovingly took care of mom during her last months. Anyone who ever met Betty grew to love her for her determination and sense of humor! One of her favorite sayings was "God must not want me yet, He keeps throwing me back". Well, God must have finally wanted her, because this time He kept her. She is now with her parents, brothers and sister.