Obituary: Anne Louise Schwiebert

Anne Louise Schwiebert, Lady Anne de Bivalve to her close friends, died on Nov. 3, 2011 after a yearlong battle with lung cancer. Anne was attended by family and East End Hospice at her home in Southold, NY. Anne’s family is forever indebted to the wonderful East End Hospice staff, to Ana Chiarella, and to Dr. Lloyd Simon for the excellent care and attention she received during her final days.

Obituary: Elizabeth J. Bogen

Elizabeth J. Bogen, a 1961 Scheiber High School graduate and former editor of the Great Neck Record, died unexpectedly on Oct. 17, 2011 of complications after knee surgery. She was 68 years old.

Obituary: Milton and Dorothee Heller

Milton Heller, 89, and Dorothee Heller, 88, of Delray Beach, FL, passed away on Jan. 15 and June 8, 2011, respectively. They were married for 65 years. The Hellers were longtime residents of Port Washington, moving to the newly developed Soundview Village when a sand pit still bordered their back yard. WWII veteran Milton Heller was a health inspector with the New York City Health Department, and, upon retiring, started his own consulting firm, with many of New York City's most notable restaurants as clients, as well as being corporate sanitarian for the Waldbaum’s supermarket chain.

Obituary: Thomas Harkins

Tom Harkins, age 59, passed away suddenly on Oct. 21, 2011. Tom was a resident of Port Washington since 1981 and had been involved in his community through his instrumental efforts in support of the PYA ballfield and his custom painting and wallpapering business offered to many residents over the years. Tom grew up in Uniondale and was a graduate of Chaminade High School and Niagara University. He was the loving, former husband of Port Washington-native Stacey (Long). He was loved by many but most of all by his children, Michael and Emily Harkins, both of Port Washington. Tom was a wonderful brother to nine siblings, Colleen Reid, Mary Ellen Saasto, Terri Harkins-Jaisle, Eilleen Boyle, Ken, Pat Hogan, John, Elizabeth Sansone, and Anne Franzino. His special wit and humor will never be forgotten by his 25 nieces and nephews, Michael, Scott and Brian Reid, Ryan and Kim Saasto, Matthew and Dan Jaisle, Tim, Caitlin and Erin Boyle, Jessica and Sean Harkins, Chris, Brendan and Kelly Hogan, Sarah and Kate Harkins, Kyle and Kira Sansone, Thomas Franzino, Kristen, John, Christopher, Jessica and Erica Zahn. Tom will also be deeply missed by numerous cousins including Jessica McManus and her children Jacquelyn, Jordan and Julianne McManus and cousin Suzanne Andersen and her children Cody and Natalie Andersen. Additionally, first cousins from the McGinley and Condon families were always an important part of Tom’s life. Tom was considered a second son to a special uncle, Jack Rininger. Tom was predeceased by his parents, Ann and Thomas Harkins, and a treasured niece, Caitlin Boyle.

Obituary: Muriel Landsberg

Muriel Landsberg, 93, passed away on Oct. 18, 2011. A Port Washington resident since 1951, Mitzi, as she was known, was a foreign language teacher in the Port Washington School System for many years. After her retirement, she was a docent at the Nassau County Museum of Art, and lectured widely on art history and travel. She and her husband, Will, were founding members of the Community Synagogue, where, until recently, she was a regular fixture at Saturday morning Torah study. Among her family, friends, former students and many acquaintances, she will be remembered for her lifelong love of learning and ability to share that love with everyone she met.

Obituary: Virginia Blakeslee

Virginia Blakeslee, a longtime resident of Port Washington and devoted member of the League of Women Voters, who was honored as Port’s Woman of the Year in 1996, died Oct. 7, 2011 at her home in Santa Fe, NM. She was 93. The cause was complications from a fall she sustained 10 months ago, her daughter, Sandra Blakeslee, said.

Virginia was a league member for 59 years, serving as president of the Port Washington/Manhasset chapter from 1959 to 1962. In 1967, she wrote a comprehensive history of the chapter for its 50th anniversary.

Obituary: Marie B. Smith

Marie B. Smith, 92, passed away Oct. 3, 2011, in a local hospital after a brief illness. She was born on May 13, 1919 and raised in New York City. She worked for 25 years for F.W. Woolworth 5 and 10 cent store, the last 10 as manager in Port Washington. Marie retired after more than 25 years at Publishers Clearing House in Port Washington.

Obituary: Milton Heller

Milton Heller, 89, and Dorothee Heller, 88, of Delray Beach, FL, passed away on Jan. 15 and June 8, 2011, respectively. They were married for 65 years. The Hellers were longtime residents of Port Washington, moving to the newly developed Soundview Village when a sand pit still bordered their back yard. WWII veteran Milton Heller was a health inspector with the New York City Health Department, and, upon retiring, started his own consulting firm, with many of New York City’s most notable restaurants as clients, as well as being corporate sanitarian for the Waldbaum’s supermarket chain. Similarly, he served as Commissioner of Sanitation for the Village of Port Washington North, 1964-75. He was very active in unions and professional organizations, as well as local Boy Scout troop 241. Over a decade from the mid 1960s to mid 1970s, Dorothee Heller served as PTA President for Guggenheim Elementary School and then for Sousa Junior High School; and subsequently, the couple served as joint PTA presidents for Schreiber High School. Dorothee worked close to their home for a decade at the Publishers Clearing House. The Hellers were longtime members of the Community Synagogue. They retired to Florida in 1994, reconnecting there with friends and neighbors from Port Washington. They are survived by sons Jonathan, Joshua, Robert, and Billy, and sisters Annette Slotnick of Searingtown and Sherry Schweitzer of Commack; along with eight grandchildren, and loving nieces and nephews in Port Washington, elsewhere on Long Island, Manhattan, and the northeast U.S.

Obituary: Helen Bilanski

Helen Bilanski (nee Michalowski), age 98, of Edgewater, FL, formerly of Port Washington, died on Sept. 30, 2011. She is survived by her children, Arlene Amato (Gerard) and Ronald (Susan), many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her husband Alexander, her sons Edward, Alfred, Richard, Robert, and Gary, and her grandsons Michael, Edward Jr. and Barry. Funeral arrangements were handled by Austin F. Knowles Funeral Home, Port Washington. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Oct. 5 at St. Peter of Alcantara RC Church. The interment followed at Nassau Knolls Cemetery.

Obituary: William J. Maloney

William J. Maloney (Bill) passed away on Sept. 25, 2011 at his Florida condo overlooking the ocean. Bill was born on Nov. 7, 1918 in Brooklyn to William and Elizabeth Maloney. He was one of seven children and was predeceased by his brothers: Jackie, Eddie and Frankie Maloney and by his sisters Eleanor McCarthy and Therese Maloney, Sister Mary Padric. He is survived by his sister Mary Shea Kane.