We say goodbye to Veronica Mary (Pole) Lubkin, much-loved sister, mummy, Grannybird, librarian, and friend to bears (1945-2026). Veronica was born in post-war England, the youngest of three children of Dr. Karl Frederick Michael Pole and Magdalena Mary (Wellesz) Pole. Growing up, Veronica’s dream was to be “a kindergarten teacher and a mummy with 12 kids.”
Veronica came to the United States at the age of 18 to work as an au pair. She planned to stay for only a year, but “life happens” and she never returned to England to live. In 1968, she married Yale Jay Lubkin of Brooklyn, NY. They had 11 children together and remained married until his death in 2001. The family lived in New York, Israel, and Kentucky, before settling in Calvert County, Maryland, in 1985. Veronica became a member of the newly formed Newcomer’s Club, and as 10 of her children attended Calvert County Public Schools, she developed decades-long friendships throughout the community.
As her children grew, Veronica returned to the workforce as a Tourist Information Specialist at the Calvert County Visitor’s Center at both the Fairview Library and Solomons Island locations. In 1991, she resumed her schooling, earning her bachelor’s degree in Humanities at the University of Maryland University College, followed by a Master of Library Science at the University of Maryland College Park. She taught in Prince George’s County before achieving her greatest professional joy: opening Dowell Elementary School in Calvert County as the school’s first librarian. She retired in 2013 after a joyous career spent reading stories and teaching students about books, libraries, and media literacy. Veronica once wrote, “While I didn’t have twelve children, eleven and two steps is pretty close. And I wasn’t a kindergarten teacher, but I did teach kindergarteners and first graders, and all the grades through 5th for 15 years, and it turned out to be much better than my childhood dreams.”
After retirement, Veronica continued to volunteer at Dowell Elementary and in the community, teaching literacy to adults. She enjoyed many hours puttering in her garden, reading, swimming, chatting over a nice cup of tea with family and friends, and sitting on her patio with her faithful sidekick, Ike.
Veronica is preceded in death by her beloved sister, Gabriele (Pole) Mackenzie; brother-in-law, Bernard Mackenzie; and husband, Yale Jay Lubkin. She is survived by her brother, Francis Pole; 11 children (Sara, Adam, Judith, Samantha, Jeremy, Barbara, Jennifer, Avram, Emily, Rachel, Arik); two stepchildren (David, Sharon); 21 (soon 22) grandchildren; and long-time partner, Michael McGinnis.
In keeping with her wishes, there will be no service. Those wishing to honor Veronica’s memory can do so by taking a moment to plant a flower, cuddle a teddy bear, or read a book. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, your local PBS station, or your local public library.
“But, of course, it isn’t really Good-bye, because the Forest will always be there… and anybody who is Friendly with Bears can find it.” – A. A. Milne
