Las Vegas NowLas Vegas Community Honors Anchor Polly Gonzalez

Las Vegas Community Honors Anchor Polly Gonzalez

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She was both an award-winning journalist and a caring mother, a dear friend, and a community activist. Whatever she was doing, wherever she was doing it, Polly Gonzalez deeply touched those around her.

Wednesday night, the Las Vegas community had the chance to say its final farewell to our friend and colleague. Hundreds gathered for her memorial service at the Shadow Hills Baptist Church for a memorial service celebrating Polly's life.

It was certainly an emotional service. About 1,000 people attended the memorial -- many who knew Polly and some who didn't. It was a time to reminisce about the woman so many people grew to love.

Anchor Gary Waddell and K.O. Knudson principal Sylvia Tegano were among those who delivered eulogies. Her brother Rodney also spoke before the congregation. He described the woman most people never had the chance to know.

Polly's brother, Rodney says it's the community's support that helps his family cope. A community, he says, that unselfishly adopted his sister as one of its own. "People believe that Las Vegas is the neon lights and I'm finding out that the brighter lights are the people that make up the communities here."

Sabrina Mota, Polly's 8-year-old daughter, gave a stunningly beautiful poetry reading. "The Gift of You. To my mom: Children are a gift from God, created by his hand. Each is wrapped uniquely, according to his plan...."

The evening also included a performance by the  K.O. Knudson Middle School choir.

It was this memorial that gave those who loved her a chance to remember, a chance to express love and a chance to say good-bye.  Polly's close friend, Sherry Swensk read a poem called The Dash and shared touching and humorous stories of their friendship. 

Polly's memory will certainly not end here. On Wednesday, both the Las Vegas City Council and the Clark County Commission issued separate proclamations in Polly's honor. The city council also approved a resolution to name a new city park after Polly. It will be on the valley's northwest side at El Campo Grande Avenue and Bradley Road in next to Kay Carl Elementary.

Polly played a big role in Channel 8 Books Are Bridges program. She was honored by the students at Gilbert Magnet School on Wednesday. The North Las Vegas school celebrated the arrival of nearly 800 books on behalf of the Clark County Reads program.

The students dedicated the books in Polly's honor. The school also will hang her photo in the library to encourage students to always dream big and continue learning.

A college education was very important to Polly.  It’s something she stressed when she spoke to students. We want to ensure that her children also have that opportunity.

Channel 8 hopes you will also consider a donation to the Polly Gonzalez scholarship fund. Donations will be used to pay future educational costs for her daughters.

Anyone who wishes to donate can go to any Bank of America branch or can send a check to KLAS made out to the "Polly Gonzalez Scholarship Fund". 

Please send the check to KLAS TV, 3228 Channel 8 Drive, Las Vegas, NV  89109.  

You can also donate directly at any Bank of America branch to the Polly Gonzalez Scholarship Fund.

(Apr. 4) -- It's been one week since Channel 8 Eyewitness News Anchor Polly Gonzalez was killed in a car accident. A funeral service was held for Polly Sunday in her hometown of San Jose, California.

Polly's passion for life and nurturing characteristic is something, as colleagues, we knew and for her family and friends in San Jose, it was no different.

Polly's memorial service started with pictures of her smiling face shown to all in attendance. Among the pictures were many with her family. People were then invited to share stories of Polly, and how her being is something so many will miss.

Polly's two daughters, Sabrina and Gabriela shared a poem for their mom.

Friends and co-workers Sherry Swensk and Gary Waddell were two of many from Polly's Channel 8 family who made the trip. But it was Polly's younger brother Rodney Gonzalez who shared how her successful career never got in the way of her love for people.

Polly's memorial service was followed by her burial and the release of white doves as a symbol of peace. A reception was followed after her memorial service at the home of a family friend where the stories continued of Polly along with the laughs, and many tears.

So many people have shared their condolences and thoughts with us here at Channel 8. It's comforting to see how many lives Polly has touched in southern Nevada. All of the letters and e-mails the station receives will be given to Polly's family.

(Mar. 28) -- Anchor Polly Gonzalez was killed Monday afternoon at about 3:00 p.m. in a single car accident on State Route 127 in California, just north of Baker.

Polly and her two daughters were returning to Las Vegas after spending Easter weekend with family in California. Her daughters, age five and eight received minor injuries.

Polly joined Channel 8 in 1994. She held a number of positions, but most recently co-anchored the noon and 4:30 newscasts.

Polly was the first Latino Anchor in Las Vegas. She was proud of that. She wanted to be a role model for her girls showing them that if they put their mind to it, they could accomplish anything.

She has made an impact on our city and she was a real role model to young women. Polly always made time for activities in the Latin Chamber of Commerce, where she loved to emcee events. Polly was also involved with her church, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church in Summerlin.

While she was a true professional on camera, she was quite a character behind the scenes. She was always on her cell phone. And as involved as she was at the KLAS-TV station, she was equally involved in the community always standing up for people who's voice might not have carried as much weight as hers.

Polly never forgot where she came from. She grew up in San Jose, California and returned often to visit her family, making sure her girls knew their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

And that was Polly's true love -- her two daughters. They were the reason she was on that road Monday. She was taking them to see the wild flowers in Death Valley at the time of the accident.

They were not injured in the accident and Monday night they are with their father.

Polly Gonzalez was a valued and respected employee who loved her children and loved her job as an anchor at Channel 8.