Pauline ‘Polly’ (Bellar) Lloyd, a Southern belle who married a Wisconsin airman and then moved north to raise a family, died peacefully April 30, 2015, in Madison, at age 83.
She was born Pauline Bellar on Aug. 13, 1931, in Eldorado, Ark., to the late Curtis Emery Bellar Sr. and Hattie Missouri (Willis) Bellar. She grew up near Plain Dealing, La., and attended school there. She was a starter on the Plain Dealing High School girl’s varsity basketball team for four years, and she helped win a state championship. Polly was the school’s first drum majorette. She graduated in 1947 and then attended Norton Business School in Shreveport.
Polly was employed by the telephone company in Shreveport when she met her future husband, Patrick ‘Pat’ M. Lloyd, while he was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City, La. They married on Jan. 3, 1953, in Shreveport. Following Pat’s discharge from the military, they moved to the Lloyd family farm near Berlin, Wis. When he was accepted into the University of Wisconsin Law School, they moved to Madison. Polly was fond of recalling those early days with three children under the age of 2 in a one-bedroom apartment. After Pat graduated in 1957, they moved to Burlington. They spent the next 50 years making it their home, raising their children, Patrick Jr., Edyie and Michael, and serving the community.
Five years ago Polly and Pat moved to Madison to be near their daughter and her family. Nothing was more important to Polly than family. Her favorite times were spent caring for and entertaining her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They called her ‘Mamaw,’ a term of endearment given to Southern grandmas. She told them stories about growing up in Louisiana and the many adventures she shared with her six siblings. Throughout her life she remained very close to her brothers and sister.
She was active in many clubs and civic organizations in Burlington, most notably the Burlington Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, where she volunteered for years. At community dinners, she was known for wearing sequined jackets. Her friends saw that as a reflection of her sparkling personality. Polly and Pat were dedicated to Immaculate Conception St. Mary Catholic Parish, where she sang in the choir. Her favorite pastimes were entertaining, making crafts and preparing authentic, delicious Southern-style meals. Her pecan pie and chocolate cake were requested frequently. She loved to travel and followed the Marquette University Basketball Team throughout the country.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Madison; her children, Dr. Patrick (Dr. Joyce Palik) Lloyd, Columbus, Ohio, Edyie (David) Walther, Madison, Michael (Heidi) Lloyd, Burlington; her sister, Mary Edith Brown, Shreveport; brothers, Willis (Dennis) Bellar, St. Charles, Mo., Bobby (Susie) Bellar, Plano, Texas, Rodney (Jere) Bellar, Haughton, La.; grandchildren, Heather (Jim) Zanek, Bryan, Texas; Shannen (Jason) Utley, Tomball, Texas; Paulina (Michael) Erdman, Des Moines, Iowa; Chris (Julie) Lloyd, Tomball, Lori (Nicholas) Venturella, Madison, Adam Walther, Madison, Aaron (Justina) Lloyd, Houston, Texas; Abbey (Kevin) Kaszubowski, Oconomowoc, Luke (Lindsey) Lloyd, Houston, James (Kayla) Lloyd, Chicago, Paul Lloyd, Burlington; 12 great-grandchildren.
She was further preceded in death by her brothers, Curtis Bellar Jr. and Melvin Bellar.
The family will meet with visitors at St. Mary Catholic Parish, 108 McHenry St., Burlington, on Saturday, May 9, from 9-11 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. A private burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Patrick & Polly Lloyd Fund for the benefit of Catholic Central High School. Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home, Burlington, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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