Miriam (Mimi) Yetta Polisner Lipson 1949 – 2026
Miriam came into this world 76 years ago, dimpled cheeks and all, the third child and only daughter of Saul and Camilla Polisner, of Portland.
With her bright blue eyes and curly blond tresses, she was well-equipped to charm and charm she did! She made more than two lifetimes of friends, many of whom eased her path during her final hours. She passed away on June 6, 2026, the end of a 30-year journey with cancer.
A Portland High graduate, she received a degree in early childhood education from the University of Vermont in 1972 and then returned to Portland to begin her life-long career. Lucky was the kid who had “Miss Mimi” for a teacher!
Fate stepped in when she met a boy from Iowa, visiting his sister in Portland. Miriam and Allan Lipson were wed in June, 1976. It was truly a match made in Heaven. They began their life together back in Iowa where, in 1980, they welcomed their son Benjamin.
Al’s meteorology career then took them to Atlanta and Memphis. Finally, they retired to Florida where Al passed away in 2020. After that, Mimi moved back north, to South Portland, where she found loving connection with family and friends.
Mimi loved to teach and regaled everyone with hilarious stories about the crazy antics of her adorable little students. She taught K-3 and said that every day was a comedy show. She couldn’t get over the fact that she was paid to be entertained!
She was very artistic and created her crafts using several different media. Much of it she sold at craft shows, never making a profit but that wasn’t her goal (which was instead conceptualization and execution). She spent a summer in Rockport Maine, studying at their famous school of photography. In the following years, she produced artistic photos which were selected for juried exhibits where she sold many pieces and won several awards.
She liked to talk, always repeating herself, often several times, but always in a funny way. Sometimes her listener, in self-defense, would have to say, “I got it!” and there would be laughter and the shaking of heads. Boy was she a talker. The words kept rolling out with no breath in between!
Mimi recently asked that we include “Eddie” in her obituary. Eddie was a 10 pound dachshund who brightened her life over the last 9 years. He was the last in a line of adopted dogs, an Al and Mimi passion. They preferred a dog with an issue, the kindwhich made adoption unlikely. For example, one was missing a leg, another an eye. Except for Eddie, who was perfect. And a good guy who was an easy fun companion right up to the end.
See Mimi? We fulfilled your last request!
There are many people to thank: First and foremost, Mimi’s incredible hematologist Dr. Kellie Sprague, who used her skill and compassion to extend Mimi’s life to the maximum extent possible. Also, the talented staff on the Maine Medical Center Oncology and ICU floors who guided Mimi through some very difficult procedures and lovingly eased her way at the very end. Finally Mimi’s wonderful neighbors and friends in Portland, Fort Myers and Memphis who gave her encouragement and support when she needed it most.
Survivors include son Benjamin, brother Duane Polisner (Eva), nephew David Polisner (Jennifer), niece Sarah Weber (Thomas), grandnephews Daniel Polisner, Joshua Polisner, Robert Weber and grandniece Leah Weber, sister-in-law Sheri Tatum, sister-in-law Marilyn Lipson, nephews Matthew Lerman, Andrew Lerman and niece Helaine Parsons.
Interment was in the Jewish Memorial Park of Glendale Cemetery, Des Moines, Iowa on June 12, next to her beloved husband, Al.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a local animal charity of your choice.