Ellie Chemerow, 93, of Sarasota, FL, formerly of Kenosha WI, passed away on Wednesday, July 28th at her residence in Sarasota, FL, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Boston, MA on July 2, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Irving and Mary (Makler) Pollay. She graduated from high school in Milwaukee and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and her master’s degree in Advanced Education from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Ellie also earned her teaching certificate from Carthage College in Kenosha and was a substitute teacher for many years within the Kenosha public school system. Ellie worked alongside her husband at The Leader Store after her children graduated from high school.
On April 10, 1949, she married Ben-Ami Chemerow in Kenosha, WI. They lived in Kenosha for 60 years. More than 22 years ago they began to visit Sarasota, FL and had been residents of Sarasota for 12 years.
Ellie believed in giving back to her community and both volunteered and served on many boards including, the Achievement Center, League of Women’s Voters, Head Start, and the Shalom Center in Kenosha. She had a deep commitment to education as shown by her assistance in developing ALL – Adventures in Lifelong Learning at UW – Parkside and mentoring children in reading in both Kenosha and Sarasota grade schools. She was an avid tennis player, enjoyed walking, attending theater, travelling with Ben and spending time with her family.
Ellie is survived by her four children, David (Doreen) Chemerow of Boca Raton, FL, Sue (Tom Jones) Chemerow of Madison, WI, Betsy (Jeff) Lumbard of Lakeville, MN, and Anne (Scott) Billak of Oakton, VA; six grandchildren, Scott and Derek (Kelley) Lumbard, Sarah and Alex Jones, and Chaz and Carly Billak, and two great-grandchildren, Callen and Miles Lumbard. She is also survived by her brother, Richard Pollay, of Chicago, IL.
Ellie was preceded in death by her husband, Ben, her parents, and her brothers, Michael and Harry Pollay.
Services will be held at Proko Funeral Home, 5111 60th St, Kenosha, WI on Monday, August 30th at noon. Interment will be private at Sunset Ridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Shalom Center in Kenosha, WI would be appreciated by the family.
