Nancy Pola

  Nancy Pola December 11, 1930-March 19, 2023 It’s a blessing few people experience -- passing away as they lived their lives -- sharing the love and human touch of their children.  Nancy Pola, age 92, died peacefully on March 19, 2023 in Hermosa Beach, CA, with her son Richard Pola (Hermosa Beach, CA) and daughters Janet Cohen (Vienna, VA) Julie Broida, (Marina Del Rey, CA) and Sally Fleck (Solana Beach, CA) at her bedside. Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1930 to parents Claudia and Simon Kossow, a Russian government shipping official assigned later to Germany prior to WWII. Five-year-old Nancy  recalled viewing Nazi troops march through the streets prior to her family’s escaping the  Holocaust, emigrating to the United States in 1935. After graduating from New York Lincoln High and Brooklyn College, Nancy taught school in Jacksonville Florida before moving back to New York where she met Korean War veteran Rudolph Pola. Just three dates -- one at Coney Island -- proved enough of a litmus test for both to join their lives together for a marriage that lasted 45 years. With interests ranging from Broadway to nature to current events, Nancy’s first love was raising her four children -- first Janet, then Julie, Richard, and Sally nine years later -- all the while full-time teaching elementary school in New City, New York. Nancy and Rudy joined many of their close friends retiring to Boca Raton, Florida where they lived until Rudy’s death in 1999. Nancy’s strength, vigor and grasp for the joys of everyday life empowered another bold move   -- in her eighties -- across the country to Marina Del Rey. Overlooking the Pacific, she spent her days entertaining her world with humor -- neighbors, Mah Jongg pals, and grandkids who especially relished her R-rated jokes. Nancy knew no strangers. Just five minutes, maybe three, with Nancy created lasting memories. In addition to her four children, Nancy is survived by nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a lifetime of caring, compassion, joy and love.