Maureen Pollard Martin Johnson, known as “Mo,” was a vivacious woman — a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend — who lived life to the fullest.

“Maureen left this world suddenly on December 21st, 2021, at age 86,” her family wrote in a tribute.

She was born to John and Marie Pollard on Dec. 23, 1934. One of six siblings, Maureen was born with twin Sheila after their first-born brother, Jack.

Their parents were icons in Altamont. John Pollard had a fuel company in the village and served as Altamont’s fire chief. Marie Pollard was active in St. Lucy’s Church, cooking at the church restaurant when the Altamont Fair was held.

Mrs. Johnson, always beautiful and active, was captain of the cheerleading team at Altamont High School. She met the love of her life, Robert Martin, a Voorheesville student, because Mr. Martin was best friends with her brother Jack, said Laurie Carey, Mrs. Johnson's daughter.

“She married her childhood sweetheart and they had four kids,” said Ms. Carey. Both parents worked in real estate.

“She demonstrated throughout her life the grit and tenacity to overcome anything thrown her way — a characteristic that she has modeled for her children and grandchildren and will be passed down for generations to come,” her family wrote.

Her career spanned over 60 years of real estate and the commercial moving business where she was recognized for numerous top sales accomplishments. “She took pride in her contributions and her work ethic,” her family wrote. “She worked her entire life and usually at more than one job at a time.”

Mrs. Johnson taught her children and her grandchildren to take pride in doing their work well, no matter the job, said Ms. Carey.

Growing up in an Irish Catholic family, Mrs. Johnson was taught to speak her mind. “She raised four kids to stand their ground,” said Ms. Carey.

“She made people laugh with her Irish sense of humor and was never afraid to share her opinion on any topic,” her family wrote. “She loved to entertain and could hold one hell of a party, where her bold laughter could be heard by all. She was a generous woman, opening her home to friends and family and would go out of her way to help anyone in need.”

After living three quarters of her life in the Altamont area, 30 years ago, Mrs. Johnson moved to Florida with her husband, Walter Johnson Sr., living in St. Cloud, which is near Disney World. “She worked with her husband and continued as a Realtor selling homes in the surrounding area,” said her daughter.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Johnson liked socializing. In Altamont, she belonged to the ladies’ auxiliaries for both the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. In Florida, she was a member of the Red Hat Society.

She liked dressing up for occasions, her daughter said, adding, “She never looked her age; she always looked gorgeous.”

Summing up her mother’s character, Ms. Carey said, “She was very caring and very direct. She always spoke her mind, and she would do anything for anyone.”
 

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Maureen Pollard Martin Johnson is survived by her four children, Beth Casale, Michael Martin, Richard Martin, and Laurie Carey, and by her two stepchildren, Walter Johnson Jr. and Jennifer Pugliese; by her siblings, Jack Pollard III, Michelle Wever, Tom Pollard, and Jim Pollard; and by her 14 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Her twin sister, Sheila Bishop, died before her.

“Her faithful dog, Bailey, never left her side,” her family wrote. “Maureen will make her final resting with the love of her life, Robert Martin, with whom she had four children and who passed early in his life.”

Family and friends will celebrate her life in the spring of 2022 in Altamont. Services will be held at St. Lucy’s Church.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer