Obituary of Allison Polanski

With deep sadness and love, we commemorate the all-too-short life of our beloved mother Allison Lulley Polanski.

Born on Long Island, she grew up in Deer Park, New York with a large family that valued togetherness, God’s love, and the magic of the beach. Next to being surrounded by her many siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren, her favorite setting was by the sea, with the breeze on her face and the sand under her feet.

She was a perpetual optimist who would wake up early just to watch the sunrise. An athlete who loved competing, she also loved a good laugh and was always a “cheeseburger and a beer” kind of girl.

The oldest of five, Allison was a born leader to her sister and three brothers and could manage anything with grace, humor, and empathy. Her family, friends, and colleagues all knew her to be kind, generous, and sincere, but also always true to her values and willing to fight for what she believed in.

When she married Ben Polanski, she fearlessly took in his two daughters as her own and gave them everything she knew how to do best: loving, teaching, devotion. Ben and Allison had two more children to complete their family. Her support was unwavering, whether you came in first or last. She acclaimed our art, never missed a game, applauded our music recitals as if they were Broadway shows, and even attended one daughter’s ballet recital while about to go into labor.

Faith and trust in family never faltered in her mind. She was virtuous and altruistic. She led her family in faith and ensured that each of us had a relationship with the Church. Together, Allison and Ben lived the sacrament of marriage, providing the benchmark that we each try to emulate in our own marriages. And now, we will try to raise our families with the same tender devotion that she imparted to us.

Allison battled fiercely with cancer, fighting for every additional moment so that she could continue to pour out her love and compassion. We are grateful for every day she fought, and our hearts will always be warmed by her love. Our mother’s memory survives in the hearts of her husband Ben; her children Kate Kaler, Melissa Woods, Michael Polanski and Julie Ranbom; her parents Bob and Ursula Lulley; and her grandchildren Adrian and Violet Woods, Hannah and Claire Kaler, and Penelope Polanski.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, August 17, 2020, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Services at Glackin Chapel, 136 Morrison Ave., Hightstown, NJ. Due to Covid protocols wearing masks, social distancing and capacity restrictions will be observed.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated from St. David the King RC Church in West Windsor, NJ, via Live Streaming, on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 11:00 a.m.  Please join the Polanski family by visiting: http://www.stdavidtheking.com/index.php/livestream-mass.

Donations in Allison’s name may be made to the Save the Children Fund, accessible at savethechildren.org.