Obituary of Hylah Mae Pollock

Hylah “Peggy” Mae Pollock, 100, passed away peacefully with family by her side on February 17, 2024.  Hylah Tompkins was born July 30, 1923 in Artesian, South Dakota.  Peggy was the oldest child of Charles Tompkins and Mary Dilschneider Tompkins. 

Peggy grew up near Carthage, South Dakota where they farmed and her father did work as an auctioneer in the Carthage community for 48 years.

Peggy married Lee Pollock and had 4 children; Jimmie Pollock, Barbara Arlene Pollock, Mattie Elizabeth Pollock, Gloria Jean Pollock.  Lee died in 1995. 

Peggy’s life was fully of many adventures due to her zest for life and her husband’s occupation which required the family to move often through the United States until they eventually settled in New Plymouth, Idaho.

Peggy commuted to Ore-Ida which eventually became Heinz (Simplot) in the Ontario, OR factory outside of New Plymouth for 30 years until she retired.

Peggy was admired by friends and family for her zest for life, strength, endurance, work ethic, independence and her lively personality which always had a way of making people smile and laugh. 

Peggy loved and served her family always having an open door to her home and providing support.  Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren describe many great memories of traveling with Peggy.  They always knew she was tough to beat when playing cards.

Most of all, Peggy had a strong love for music and dancing.   Peggy shared stories about barn dances and would go to any dance she could until she found her dance family at the Eagles Lodge in Nampa.   Peggy looked forward to joining her friends at the dance(s) attending every week and attended the last week of her life.

Peggy is a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and aunt.  She is survived by her son; Jimmie Pollock of Emmett; son-in-law Robert Ritchie of New Plymouth, grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great grandchildren and sister, Gladys Keene of Lowell, AR.

A private family graveside service will be held in March and a Memorial for friends and family will be held this Spring at the Eagles Lodge in Nampa.

The family wishes to express their appreciation for the friends and family at the Eagles Lodge for providing Peggy rides to the dances, support, kindness, care and the added joy they brought to her.

She was joined in death by her husband, Lee Pollock; daughters, Barbara Arlene Pollock-Ritchie, Mattie Elizabeth Pollock, Gloria Jean Pollock and granddaughter, Tammy Lewin, great-grandson, Justin Laub.