Adele June (Plotkin) Pollack

Mom's remarkable life story began on a Wednesday, June 1st, 1927 in the city of Scranton PA. Daughter of the late Joe and Tillie Plotkin, she practically began her life in the spotlight. At the ripe old age of 3, she began tap dancing. By age 4, Baby Adele June was hoofing away on the Capitol and Ritz Theater stages in Scranton's well known vaudeville scene. She would tap on the same stages as Buddy Ebsen and Buster Keaton.

Mom's life spanned nearly a century of history, which included 17 U.S. Presidents. She saw the last of the Model T's and lived through the Great Depression. At age 11, she survived Typhoid Fever, a decade before an antibiotic was developed. She was 12 when WWll began, and 18 when it ended. Married at the age of 21, in two years' time, she would have a brand-new television box in her living room, and the first of five children in her belly.

Mom was a graduate of Scranton Tech High School, class of '44. She attended Marywood College and would be the first student to graduate with a major in art and minor in music. She found great joy as an artist and became a prolific painter throughout her life. Her love of art was equal to her love of music. As an accomplished pianist, she provided us with a rich musical education early on. Serenading us throughout her life, we often sang around the piano. By 8, 10, and 12 years old, mom had taught her three girls to sing three-part harmony to the greatest tunes of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, and Cole Porter.  

Mom was very proud to be a part of the downtown Scranton community, involved in a wide variety of civic and community endeavors. She loved this community wholeheartedly and worked tirelessly spearheading efforts to revitalize the downtown. As a dedicated businesswoman, she served as president and board member for many organizations including the United Way of Lackawanna County and PA Society for Crippled Children and Adults. She held a seat on the board of directors for the Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and at the pleasure of Mayor Gene Peters, mom began serving many years at the Scranton Parking Authority, as well as on several community development advisory boards. She served as President of the JWVA and was a member of Temple Israel of Scranton and its Sisterhood. For all her community service, Mom was honored to be saluted as The Sunday Times 1976 "Mother of the Year." (Mother's Day issue)

As a great patron of the arts, mom worked with the Lackawanna Arts Council helping to fund and support local artists. One of her greatest and most exhilarating roles was serving as president and publicity director for the Scranton Community Concert Association, bringing renowned performances to the city from all over the world.

Following the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our dad, her beloved husband and love of her life, Morty, she found the strength and resilience to successfully take over the reins of the family bakery business, alongside son, Robby and wife Karen. The iconic Community Bake Shop, a community staple in downtown Scranton, turned flour into sunshine for 62 years. Mom was forever grateful for all our devoted employees through the years, and the loyal customers that supported us and made our bakery part of their lives and memories.

Mom's life story was as vibrant and energetic as her tap-dancing routines she performed in her youth. Our beloved matriarch, with her love of music, would eventually reveal to us a long held secret desire to be a cocktail lounge piano act, tickling the keys to Cole Porter tunes and the like. Mom marveled at the intricacies of power tools, the mechanics of machinery, and the magic of the internet. She also developed a keen curiosity about this new thing called AI.

Mom is preceded in death by her husband, Morton Pollack, and her younger brothers, Allen and Richard Plotkin. She is survived by her children, Fern Hart, (the late Jim Hart) Lezlie Ely, (Chris) Shelly Pollack Young, (Gil) Robert Pollack, (Karen) and Jay B Pollack, (fiancée Karen Quick). Grandchildren, Courtney and Rachel Pollack and Sean Hetsko.

Today we feel the ache of your absence. But for all the tomorrows, we will celebrate with gratitude the profound gifts you shared with us ...your art, your music, but mostly your unconditional love. May you rest in sweet sleep. 

A private graveside service will be held for the family. Shiva will be observed and visitors welcomed on Wednesday from 6-8pm and Thursday from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Adele’s home, 827 Clay Ave. in Scranton.