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Dr. Anna Polotsky

Dr. Anna Polotsky, former director of the pathology dept. at the largest military hospital in the Soviet Union, passed away peacefully on Sept. 15, 2019, in Denver. Rabbi Joseph Friedman officiated at the Sept. 17 graveside service at Emanuel Cemetery. Shalom Funeral Service made the arrangements.

She immigrated to the US with her husband Dr. Yury Polotsky, also a pathologist, in 1991. They moved to Denver in 2010 to join their younger son and his family.

“Anna was a woman of fashion who cared deeply about her family and those around her,” her loved ones said. “She was a spectacular, classy woman who was full of life. A doting wife, mother and grandmother, she always took pride in her appearance. In medical parlance, they say that ‘vanity is not a sin, it’s a vital sign.’”

Shortly after moving to Denver, Dr. Polotsky developed Alzheimer’s disease.

“It was a privilege for the Denver Polotsky kids to visit Anna every week and bring her pizza, French fries and garlic knots,” the family said.

Anna Polotsky was born April 29, 1937, in Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg.

She earned her PhD in pathology from the Military Medical Academy and medical degree from the Leningrad Medical Institute of Sanitary and Hygiene in 1961. As a young pathology student in 1960, she met her future husband Yury Polotsky, who was also studying pathology. They married in 1961 and were together for 60 years.

Although Jews were routinely denied important positions in the Soviet Union, Dr. Polotsky was hired as director of pathology at the Military Medical Academy in Leningrad.

“The Soviet functionary who interviewed her did not check her passport for ‘Jewish nationality,’” the family said. “Anna’s blue eyes and blond hair were deceiving, because she did not have the stereotypical ‘Jewish’ look.” Dr. Polotsky spent her entire career at the academy.

Dr. Anna Polotsky is survived by her husband Dr. Yury Polotsky; children Seva (Anna) Polotsky of Baltimore, Md., and Alex (Hannah) Polotsky of Denver; grandchildren Esti, Avi, Yael, Eli, Yoshi, Mikhael and Rachel; and great-granddaughter Cecilia Kate.

Contributions may be made to DAT.

Copyright © 2019 by the Intermountain Jewish News




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