Obituary

Salimah Dorsey Pollard passed away on January 3, 2026, at the age of 65. Her smile and her light will be deeply missed and cherished by her family and friends for years to come.

Born Salimah Mahasin Dorsey on June 24, 1960, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she grew into a woman whose name beautifully personified her calm spirit and sweet demeanor. Both Arabic in origin, Salimah (safe, peaceful, and flawless) and Mahasin (good deeds and kindness) were qualities felt by all who were fortunate enough to be in her presence.

Salimah received her early education in Camden, attending Charles E. Sumner Elementary School and Morgan Village Middle School. She later attended St. Joseph’s High School for her freshman and sophomore years before graduating from Camden High School in 1978, where she participated in several school activities, including the Color Guard. After high school, she continued her education at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

For more than 40 years, Salimah dedicated her professional life to Camcare Health Corporation in Camden. Throughout her long and faithful service, she worked in various capacities, helping to manage daily operations and playing a critical role in training and supporting service team members across departments, including front desk and billing. Known for her steady presence, kindness, and willingness to help others, Salimah made a meaningful and lasting impact on her colleagues and the organization as a whole before retiring in August 2025.

Salimah had a love for travel that led to annual girls’ trips with family and friends to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts; Fenwick Island and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware; and the Bahamas. Although she was not a strong swimmer, the beach—especially the ocean—brought her great peace. Joining her “extended family” travel club allowed her to take her first cruise in 2020, opening the door to visiting islands and countries she had always dreamed of experiencing.

She had a deep love for dancing, especially to reggae music—particularly songs by Bob Marley. Once the beat started, nothing could keep her off the dance floor. Her love of music and movement also extended to salsa and other Latin favorites. Dancing had been in her blood since childhood, and it brought her great joy, especially during her time attending the Sydney School of Dance in Camden.

Salimah’s love and devotion to her family were evident in the way she spoke about each one and in the joy that filled her eyes whenever they walked through the door or gathered for family functions. Her husband, James Pollard, was the love of her life for nearly 30 years, and together they raised eight children. Becoming a grandparent filled her heart with immeasurable joy.

She is survived by her loving husband, James Pollard; her mother, Willie Mae Dorsey; her brothers, Alim Shakur Dorsey (Wanda) and Murshell Thomas Dorsey (Shana); and her children, Christopher, James Jr. (Nasheeda), Demitrius, Joshua, Camille, Jasmin, Jamil, and Brandon including 14 grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, George Dorsey, Jr., and her brother, George “GD” Dorsey III.

To have known Salimah was to be uplifted and loved. She had a great sense of humor, and her expressions were truly priceless. She could never hide her feelings. Her legacy of kindness, joy, and quiet strength will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

.