Obituary of Riitta Pollock

In loving Memory of Riitta K. Pollock,

April 23, 1949 - December 19, 2025 

Riitta K. Pollock passed away peacefully at home in Yorktown, NY on December 19, 2025 at the age pf 76.  She is survived by her husband Lee A. Pollock, her son Jonathan Pollock, his wife Jennifer Pollock, and her grandson Julian Pollock.

Riitta was born and raised in Kitee, Finland by her loving parents, Kaisa Salmes and Heiki Mustonen.  As a child she enjoyed athletics and spending time in the forests and lakes of Finnish Karelia.  She always cherished her Finnish heritage and language, her Finnish friends, and Karelian pies.  

In 1974, Riitta came to New York to work for the Finnish Mission to the United Nations where she made foundational friendships, had life changing experiences and soon met her now husband, Lee.  They married in 1978 and spent the next 47 years happily together.  They soon adopted their son Jonathan and started a family together.  Riitta was a devoted wife and mother and worked hard to create a loving and supportive home despite working full time.  She was also very close to her inlaws, Charles M. Pollock and Helen K. Pollock as well as her sister in law Terri Dillon and brother in law Harry John Dillon.    

Riitta worked for Concordia and Marymount Colleges, Resurrection Church in Mt. Kisco, and helped Lee with his law practice,  but her most rewarding work came as an art teacher later in life.  In her 40’s, Riitta returned to school and received her BA in Fine Arts and MA in Art History from SUNY Purchase.  She taught art at the Northern Westchester Center for the Arts and in after school programs at elementary schools.  She formed Riitta’s Art Studio, where she taught art from her home studio.  She would beam with pride telling stories of her student’s achievements.

Riitta was a deeply committed Christian and active member of the Village Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer and Emanuel Lutheran Church, and was always eager to pray with and for people who needed God’s love.  Whenever someone was in need be it a friend or a stranger, Riitta was the first person to offer help and comfort.

A vibrant and energetic woman, Riitta began to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease a few years ago.  The cruel disease slowly stripped her of her faculties but never of her spirit.  To the end, Riitta maintained her smile, her spirit, her silliness and her love of family.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association or Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Visitation Hours: 4:00 - 7:00 pm, December, 26, 2025

At Clark  Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Rd,

Katonah, NY 10536

Memorial Service at 10:00  am on December 27, 2025

At Emanuel Lutheran Church, 197 Manville Rd, Pleasantville, NY 10570