Polly Drake Pitsker

"Good Morning World!!"

Obituary

Polly Drake (DuBose) Pitsker was born in LaGrange, GA, in 1935.  She was the 2nd of 4 children born to Frank H. and Caroline Elizabeth (Bessie Drake) DuBose.  Polly's early years were spent all over the South due to Frank's career teaching Army ROTC.  At the close of WWII, the family headed west, ultimately settling in Manhattan Beach, CA, where Polly attended Redondo Union High School.  She graduated as valedictorian and received a 4-year scholarship to Pomona College in Claremont, CA, majoring in studio art.  After graduating from college in 1956, Polly taught 2nd grade at Grandview Elementary School while living at home back in Manhattan Beach.  In May, 1958, she met Peter Brokaw Pitsker who was playing volleyball as she walked on the beach.  They fell in love nearly instantly and spent every day together for the next 110 days until their Wedding on August 30th.  Polly paused her teaching career in 1959 as Peter Drake, Amy Frances, Paul Brokaw, and John (Jack) Edwin Allen were born.  She continued making and teaching art throughout her life in various media, including painting, drawing, textile arts and photography.  In the early 1970s, she exhibited and sold her woven wall pieces in a Florida gallery and elsewhere.  From the 1970s onwards, she designed and, with her partner, fabricated stained glass windows for clients in southern Orange County, CA, including a rose window and other commissions for Saint Margaret’s Episcopal Church in San Juan Capistrano.  In the 1980s, despite having no formal training in accounting or computers, Polly engineered the transition of a construction company with big commercial and government contracts to its first computerized accounting system and continued to oversee the company’s accounting department through many upgrades as it grew.  In the 1990s and 2000s, she traveled extensively with her husband and pursued her passion for photography and digital art while living in the mountains in western NV, before finally settling back in southern CA.  She remained active and lived independently into her 90s, never losing her eye for beauty and support of family and friends.  After a brief battle with cancer, Polly died peacefully at home on August 26 2026, surrounded by her loving family.  She is survived by her husband, her sister Frances, her 4 children, and 8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

As in her art, Polly brought creativity and warmth into her daily life. She would greet each day with a hopeful "Good Morning world!" and remember loved ones past and present every night. As a mother, she instilled curiosity, a love of learning and artistic expression in her children and others. An early environmentalist, Polly applauded the choice of her birthday, April 22nd as Earth Day. Her quiet leadership has inspired many women in her family, at work, and through her long-term efforts raising and awarding scholarships for high school seniors. At home Polly provided a safe and nurturing respite for family, friends, and animals of all kinds. Her pets included horses, a pony, sheep, a goat, chickens, rabbits and baby rabbits, cats, cats who had kittens, a Basset Hound, 7 Collies, a Doberman and a huge Great Dane. There was even an alligator in the bathtub one day. Later in life, Polly enjoyed sharing snacks and libations on her front deck with loved ones or greeting friends and their dogs while walking the neighborhood. Her legacy lives on in those she inspired who continue to create a more beautiful and hospitable world.

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October 22, 2026

Polly was brilliant; creative. caring, thoughtful, loving, kind and beautiful. Although much younger than my mother, they were first cousins and I remember the first time I ever met her: she came to our house in Manhattan Beach and she was absolutely incandescent and I will never forgot the moment in my very young childhood. As an adult, I lived in Orange County and i got to know her as an adult. As her parents (did who were like grandparents to my sisters and me), she and Peter always showed up for our family. They came to our weddings and the memorial for both my parents. Polly was a link to the Drake family of Alabama: she knew my mother as a young woman and gave me wonderful insights about her, which I treasure. Polly was a cut above; a one and only. I find myself grieving daily over her passing and the reality that I will not get to meet with her look into those beautiful blue eyes, but I believe we will meet again. ❤️

Amy Fike Peters

October 19, 2026

:Polly was my first love. We met our sophomore year at Pomona College. Most of our spare time, there after, was spent with each other. She was empathic, caring, generous and fun to be with. I met her sister, Frances, her bothers and her parents, all of whom were cordial and friendly. When I think of Pomona College my thoughts are always filled with Polly.
Thank you very much, Peter, for sharing these memories and photos,

Ardis Edwin Carrigan

October 12, 2026

I am very appreciative of all these wonderful memories. My siblings and I feel so fortunate to have had a Mom that had such an impact on others. Her absence has left a gaping hole in my life. Many times a day I will see something humorous or beautiful and immediately think of sharing it with her. And then comes the inevitable reminder that those days have passed.

In spite of the enormity of that loss, I'm realizing that there was even more left behind. I see it daily in her art and the way she taught us to look at the world, her love for reading and knowledge, her sacrifices for family, her care for others, and how those things have shaped my siblings, our children, and far beyond. I believe her legacy will grow and flourish for as long as those things remain part of us and continue to get passed along.

Peter Drake Pitsker

October 8, 2026

I didn’t know her as “Polly” or even “Mrs. Pitsker.” To me she was Mrs. Poot Senior, or more simply Mom #2. I remember so many dinners and sleepovers and storytelling sessions at the Aguacate house—she was always there, always welcoming, always contributing her own tales, always laughing along and making all of us feel like we belonged. One story in particular comes to mind: When I was living in Dana Point back in 1986 I did a lot of long-distance running. One day I set out on a 15-mime jaunt, from Dana Point to San Juan Capistrano then over to Crown Valley Parkway. About halfway down CVP I realized the smog was affecting my breathing. A mile later I had to stop running, and a quarter of a mile later I could hardly even walk. I didn’t know what to do. So I called Mrs. Poot Senior from a pay phone—collect, because I had no phone and no money—and asked her if she could possibly give me a ride home. No hesitation, she was there in 10 minutes. Thank you again Mom #2. As any of her other children would say, I don’t know what I would have done without you.

John Boutelle

October 6, 2026

It is so fortunate for me that Polly was a part of my mother's life. She played a major role in my adoption. I was very happy to see several pictures in the gallery of Polly and the family at my parent's 50th anniversary, and the lovely picture of Polly and mom at our recent visit earlier this year. Polly was a lovely lady, and an extremely important part of my family's life.

Nina Jackson

October 5, 2026

I could write all day about Polly. We were college suitemates in the beginning. then when we were out of school, Polly made certain I saw all the best art shows, a habit I continued after she left town. I remember playing in the sand with the boys and then she and Peter moved. But returned thank goodness. Our husbands got along another thank goodness, To say I miss you, Polly, is the understatement of the day. You have left fabulous memories. So pleased we were on the planet at the same time,

.

Diane W Jackson

October 4, 2026

The first time I remember meeting my Tante (Aunt) Polly was when I was around eight years old. My dad took us on a trip to southern California, which included visits to Palomar Observatory and Death Valley, as well as staying at Uncle Peter and Tante Polly’s home in San Juan Capistrano. I was very shy in those days and afraid of meeting new people, but Polly was so loving and kind that I felt an immediate connection with her. She took my sister and me into her garden where we picked fresh corn, and she taught us how to peel away the husks to reveal the delicious kernels. Then she showed us the weaving she was doing on her loom. I was fascinated by any kind of fiber arts and loved her work. She also showed us a stained glass panel she was working on for someone. She explained that she had changed the design, and when I asked why, she said that the original design just wasn’t good enough. Just before the end of our visit she made my dream come true: My sister and I were allowed to ride bareback on Chester, Amy’s old horse, with Polly leading Chester and admonishing him to behave. I was in seventh heaven!

Years later, when I first moved to the L.A. area, Polly made sure to include me in many of the family parties. She always made me feel welcome and loved. I miss her dearly.

Anja Pitsker Sonderling

September 30, 2026

Gram knitted each of her grandchildren a sweater. They are so beautiful and unique! No matter where she was, there was art involved in her life. I really looked up to her in that regard. Their house in Nevada always felt like a magical place where you could find something new around every corner.

Rae Pitsker

September 29, 2026

Aunt Bessie and cousin Polly (how we always referred to them) were such amazing artists. I wanted to grow up and be just like them. They influenced me in my early years of living down the way in Manhattan beach. As kids, we thought Polly and Peter had the ‘cool factor’. I still think so today. Though time and distance separate us, the memories, love, laughter, and kindness live on in all our hearts.

Evelyn Chapin

September 28, 2026

One of my favorite childhood memories of Gram is of her singing the chorus of “Beautiful Brown Eyes” to me after I told her I wished I had blue eyes like she did. She always supported me and made me feel beautiful and confident for who I was. I’ve loved my brown eyes ever since.

Francesca Pitsker