Mary Hullinger Polom

Mary Hullinger Polom died March 30, 2024, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. Hers was a life lived in continual gratitude for its abundant blessings. Born to loving parents Dorothy and Ora Merle Hullinger January 31,1924, in Newark, NJ, Mary was predeceased by brothers Lewis and David, and sister Barbara Wallace.
Mary was brought up and educated in the Midwest, having graduated from Bexley High School, Columbus, OH in 1942, and Meredith College, Zanesville, OH. She came to Palmer, MA in 1952 after her marriage to her late dearly beloved husband and soulmate, Dr. Anthony Polom. She is survived by a loving and devoted family: daughter Sarah Dufault of Lancaster, PA, her husband Gil, and their children Lauren Belice (Josh) also of Lancaster and Ryan Dufault (Kelsey) of Denver, NC; son Francis Polom, his wife Sandra of Wilbraham and their children Cara Raccis (David) of Mansfield, MA, and Corey Polom (Sarah) of Sherrills Ford, NC; and great-grandsons Brooks Dufault, Emmett Belice, and Jayce Dufault. Mary is also survived by 11 nephews and 9 nieces, and a godson Sarath Ton of Orlando, FL. Four nephews predeceased her.
An avid baseball fan, Mary easily transitioned from supporting Chicago Cubs to Boston Red Sox: both were in losing mode. Happily, she lived to see both clubs achieve world championships. Of far more enjoyment to her was being in the cheering sections for her grandchildren and their friends as they played soccer, basketball, softball, baseball, and lacrosse.
In her middle years, Mary served as a volunteer for Massachusetts Association for the Blind, American Red Cross, ACTS inner-city tutoring program, and delivering meals to the homebound in Wilbraham. A strong advocate for peace with justice (Shalom), she was a member of the reconciliation-focused Community of the Cross of Nails and supported the non-violent vision of Agape Community in Hardwick, MA.
A communicant of the parish community of St. Cecilia in Wilbraham, Mary was pleased to be part of its Spiritual Growth Group led by Sister Mary McCue.
Mary was an integral part of the family production of Amen Corner Heavenly Maple Syrup of the Dipping Hole Road Minor Sugarbush, as quality control and bottling specialist.
Calling hours will be held at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham on Friday April 12 from 4-7PM.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Cecilia Parish on Saturday April 13 at 10 AM. Burial will follow at Glendale Cemetery in Wilbraham.
If you were considering a floral tribute, a donation to Parish of St. Cecilia (memo HOPE/Haiti) 42 Main St., Wilbraham, MA 01095 would serve a greater need.