Polly Ann (Owens) Mccollam

If Polly McCollam was nearby, you would likely have heard her characteristic and infectious laugh before you would have seen her. Ever the rascal, Polly leveraged her quick wit and humor to brighten our lives and to keep those around her laughing right along with her.

Polly Ann McCollam (nee Owens) was born on January 15, 1935, in Des Moines, IA to Ward Glen and Leta Mae (Stout) Owens and passed away peacefully on Monday, March 18, 2024, at the age of 89. In addition to her parents, Polly was preceded in death by her brothers Jack and Richard (Jerry) Owens, sisters Dorothy Hughes and Peggy Padilla and son Tim McCollam.

She is survived by her sister Pat Campbell, sons Mike McCollam (Barbara Hess) and Dan McCollam (Shannon) and daughter Terry McCollam (Kim Jennings), as well as her grandchildren Megan Hart (Brent), Katie McCollam (Josh Newton), Courtney Quinlan, Sara Banfield (TJ), Dillon McCollam, great-grandchildren Hunter, Azalea, Rhys, Blake, Emma, Liam, Sabrienna and Elijah and many beloved nieces and nephews.

As a teenager, Polly and her sisters Pat and Peggy worked at the Varsity Theatre together, where her shoes would often become so coated in popcorn oil, she had to remove them before re-entering the house. Polly graduated from Des Moines Technical High School in January 1953, where she honed her secretarial skills, becoming a 100-wpm typist, a talent that served her throughout her decades-long career.

Polly married her high school beau, Max McCollam, on September 10, 1953, in their hometown of Des Moines. Together they moved to St. Louis, MO, in 1957, to Lenexa, KS, in 1963, and finally to Overland Park, KS in 1965, where they not only built a house, but also life-long friendships with the best neighborhood gang around.

Polly was independent, self-sufficient and dedicated to her work, wherever she was employed. Her career journey was varied, but consistent in that she worked most of her adult life and made many friends throughout. She worked at the phone company after high school, for Smith & Loveless, E.K. Williams & Co., Broadmoor Junior High School, Black & Veatch, Bank of Blue Valley and also enjoyed some quality time at Duds ‘n Suds.

Travel to be close with and to celebrate family occupied much of Polly’s life. For many summers, Polly could often be found scheming of making mischief and belly laughing with her siblings and their families at Owens Family Reunions or at the Annual Bud Campbell Memorial Golf Tournament. Polly’s family-centric approach to life and unwavering love was so very influential. So much so that her granddaughter founded the Polly’s Paladar supper club operated from her home in Nevada City, CA for over 7 years, noting that she was inspired to name her business after her grandmother because “Polly has remained an advocate for her family without falter.”

Polly was a long-time member of the Valley View Methodist Church and enjoyed the many friends she made there.

Remarkably ever-present in the lives of those who were lucky enough to be in her orbit, Polly’s physical absence will be hard felt. Her legacy of laughter, distinctive mannerisms, playfulness, and family legacy, however, will forever endure.

A memorial celebration will be held on Friday, April 19 at 2:00 pm at Amos Family Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, KS 66203.