Arilee Elizabeth (Hansen) Pollard died peacefully on April 22, 2016. This remarkable woman was born on February 13, 1923, in Berkeley, CA to Banna and Hans William Hansen, both University of California graduates. After attending Oakland Technical High School, she attended San Jose State University, and graduated from San Francisco State University in 1944. Three weeks later, she married Jim Pollard in Oakland. She later received her Reading Specialist and Masters Degree in Administration from Nova University in Ft. Lauderdale. She bought nine houses across the country as she moved with Jim to Minneapolis with the formation of the professional basketball team, Minneapolis Lakers. Jim played for eight seasons, winning six World Championships with Arilee as his #1 fan.       Wherever she moved, she became active in the community, organizing activities that usually were centered around children and youth, making their lives enriched and joyful. She was a Scout and Indian Guide leader, organized swim meets, sports fund raisers, junior and adult Garden Club activities, PTA, and gymnastic shows.
She joined Newcomers Clubs, social and investment clubs, played golf and tennis. She was active in her church community wherever she lived, and most recently, in wonderful St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lodi.   Arilee was a lifetime educator, teaching everything from preschool to high school, PE, science and elementary school. She especially enjoyed opening young people’s eyes to the marvelous world around them. Her most recent teaching was 5th grade at August School in Stockton.  She traveled extensively, especially to Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA where her husband, Jim Pollard was inducted in 1978. Her family was the center of her life.
   She is survived by her children, Jack (Brenda), Jeanne (Jay), and Jeff (Mary); grandchildren, Tracy, Mike, Julie, Samantha, Jacob, Jessie and James; great- grandchildren, Nicholas, Adam, Michelle, John, Hannah and Katie; and two great grandchildren, Eleanor and Fin.
   She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim and son, Jay.  You are invited to her celebration of life services, one on May 27, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, in Manteca. A second service is set at her long time home church in Lodi at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, on May 28, at 11:00 a.m. 
   In lieu of flowers, please choose a gift in her honor; consider gifting the youth programs at either St. Paul’s, Salvation Army, Hospice, or a charity of your choice. Spread joy! A guest book may be signed at www.lodifuneralhome.com where memories can be shared.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Tuesday, May 24, 2016