Emily Hurst Pollard
March 11, 1922 - June 4, 2017

Family and friends of William David Pollard and Emily Hurst Pollard are invited to a Celebration of Life and Love on Friday, August 18, 2017.

Emily Hurst Pollard was born in Blanding, Utah. She came from strong pioneer stock, and lived by their honest principles. She was the oldest of eight children and assumed the responsibilities of the first-born daughter. After graduating from high school, she hitched a ride on the local mail truck to Crescent Junction, Utah. There she connected with the train and somehow made her way to Grand Junction to attend business school. She worked in administrative positions in the medical and legal professions until her retirement at age 66.

While Emily attended Business School, David was her postal carrier. He was quite smitten with her and she thought he was quite handsome. He asked her out on a date and she accepted. Six weeks later, they married in Moab, Utah on January 11, 1941. They jumped into married life and provided a loving home for their family for over 67 years which included five children, 21 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren and numerous others in need of a friend.

Committed to their religious beliefs, they were instrumental in establishing the first branches of the LDS Church in the western slope of Colorado and eastern Utah. They assisted many with their genealogical research. David interpreted foreign records and Emily indexed records at the library. Their skills assisted many in researching their personal histories. Emily was still indexing records online until six months before her death.

David loved to learn foreign languages, as well as, writing and drawing. He maintained a daily journal of family activities and his interests in wild flowers and geology.
Emily treasured her family and loved being a friend. She enjoyed quilting, reading and doing a daily crossword puzzle to keep "her mind sharp". An avid sports fan, she loved the Broncos and enjoyed revisiting the weekly football game with friends and family. She was empowered when they won.

Traveling to Hawaii, California, and Mexico to visit family, David and Emily loved collecting sea shells and long walks on the beach, but they loved their home in Grand Junction and stayed there until their deaths.

They are survived by children, Vergilia, Everett J., Roena, and Mary. A son, David Lynn Pollard, preceded them in death.

A graveside ceremony will be conducted on August 18, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. at the Palisade Cemetery, where Emily will be interred with her beloved David. Family and friends are invited to share personal memories and remembrances.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope West Hospice.
Published in The Daily Sentinel on Aug. 13, 2017