Wife of longtime Wellsville doctor Pol Akman passed away late last week in Amherst. Mary and Pol resided in Wellsville for many years, raising a family and contributing immensely to the community.
Mary Akman passed away April 7, 2021, at her home in Amherst, New York. Few people outside her immediate family knew the extent to which she struggled from chronic back pain in the final years. Mary’s children and grandchildren brought joy into her life and kept her pushing through the pain.
She was born Mary Katherine Kenny on December 14, 1936, in London, Ontario to Roy Ignatius and Avril Kenny. Mary was raised primarily by her grandmother, known lovingly by all as “Granny.” Early in her professional life as a nurse, she met and married Pol Cabi Akman. They lived in Toronto, Canada until Pol finished his surgical residency in 1963. They moved to Philadelphia for a brief time while Pol completed his medical training. Before settling in Amherst, Mary and Pol started a family in Wellsville, New York. They quickly surrounded themselves with a great community and created lasting friendships there. Mary and her husband traveled around the world and also spent many vacations with friends and family in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Mary was a homemaker and raised three children following her service as a nurse. Most of all, she loved being surrounded by her family and cared deeply for her grandchildren. She was a member of Christ the King Parish and the Women’s College Club of Buffalo. Mary enjoyed gardening, playing the piano, and playing bridge. Video chats gave Mary a window into the lives of her youngest grandchildren in Virginia. In her final days, Mary recalled fond memories of her husband Pol as well as her sister-in-law/friend Janet Kenny. In a memory book, Mary told her grandchildren to ‘live well, laugh often, and love much.’ She will be remembered for her kind heart, devotion to family, and love of Christmas.
Her daughter, Isabell Posner, lovingly cared for Mary in the last years of her life, navigating the healthcare system at the height of the pandemic to minimize her mother’s suffering. Mary’s family thanks everyone who cared for her.
Mary is preceded by her husband, parents, and siblings. Mary is survived by her children Isabell (Alan) Posner of Amherst, New York; Paul Akman of Arlington Virginia; Meaghen (Sean) McDermott of McLean, Virginia; and stepdaughter Christabel Neslihan Jevremovic of Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania. Six grandchildren, Kent Jevremovic, Abigail Posner, Brian Posner, Kellan McDermott, Finn McDermott, and Kaitlyn McDermott.
Memorial remembrances are suggested in lieu of flowers to charities that help ease suffering and pain in the world and they may be left or mailed to the Dietrich Funeral Home, 2480 Kensington Ave., Amherst, New York, 14226. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday morning, 9:30am at Christ the King Parish.
