Obituary of Mary H. Bilzi

Mary Hallinan Bilzi, of Huntington Bay, New York, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2022, surrounded by her loving family after a long, courageous battle with early-onset Alzheimer’s. She was 66 years old.

Mary was born to Jim and Mary Hallinan in Huntington, NY on July 10, 1956. The family moved when she was young, and Mary spent most of her childhood years in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, along with her brothers Jim, Paul, and Kevin.

After graduating from Marymount College in Washington, DC, Mary pursued her dream of a career in fashion. As a childrenswear buyer for Lord & Taylor, she travelled through Asia and Europe, often for months at a time. Between trips, she met Tom Bilzi—the love of her life. They lived and worked in Manhattan, married, and eventually moved to Huntington, NY, where Mary was born and Tom grew up. There they raised three beautiful children: Brian, Claire, and Kevin. Mary was deeply committed to her children and their athletic careers, sometimes travelling from coast to coast to be in the front row at swim meets and lacrosse games. She was always involved, whether she was coaching, driving, or organizing team celebrations. Her children remember her as the ultimate cheerleader.

Mary eventually left the excitement of the fashion industry to work closer to her family, at North Shore Medical Group in Huntington. She worked there for over 20 years.

Mary loved to travel with Tom and her children. They visited many foreign countries, including Italy, Ireland as well as countless tropical destinations. Some of Mary’s fondest memories were from her ski trips to Okemo Mountain in Vermont and her visits to Sanibel Island in Florida, where she played tennis with a close circle of friends.

Most of all, Mary loved spending summers close to home at The Head of the Bay Club. She enjoyed many beach days and summer barbeques there, and found a second family in a community of lifelong friends. Mary was eager to give back to the place that meant so much to her: she served on the Camp Committee, the Board of Governors, and the Executive Board.

Mary, who was beautiful inside and out, made it her mission to serve the people around her. She was president of the Junior Welfare League, supported a Student Partner Alliance at Huntington High School, and participated in local career awareness events, among many other activities.

In her later years, Mary delighted in welcoming new members into her family, including her daughters-in-law Samantha and Meaghan, and her beloved granddaughter Logan. The family would regularly convene in Huntington, and spent much of the early Covid days doting on Logan in a tight-knit pod.  

Mary will be remembered for her energetic passion for life, infectious smile, and ability to make everyone feel as if they were the most important in the room. She was deeply loved and is sorely missed.

Mary is survived by her husband Tom; children, Brian (Samantha), Claire, and Kevin (Meaghan); and her adoring granddaughter, Logan. Her father Jim; brothers, Jim (Margaret), Paul (Cindy), and Kevin (Trudi); as well as two brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her mother Mary and sister-in-law Patti.

Visitation Sunday, October 23, 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at M.A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Ave., Huntington Station.

Funeral Mass Monday, October 24 9:45 AM at St. Patrick's Church, Huntington.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.