1947 - 2023
OBITUARY
Maureen Tully Bellinger, July 10, 1947 to March 30, 2023.
Early in the morning of Thursday, March 30, in the presence of her loving sons and daughter-in-law Lianne, Maureen Bellinger ended her long struggle with cancer after a short but acute illness.
She will be greatly missed by more people than can be counted. In a lifetime that took a Bayside girl to California, Hawaii and her eventual home in New Hyde Park (with many, many trips along the way), she enchanted a remarkably diverse number of people of all ages and backgrounds.
She started as the adored and precious daughter of Eleanor and Jim, moving at a young age to their beautiful home in Bayside, across the street from the Clearview Golf Course - not exactly the typical view for a New York City kid! Over the years, she made many friends and long-term relationships in her wonderful neighborhood, attending Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament and St. Agnes Academic High School. Daughter Maureen loved, adored and cared for her parents, who in turn returned it to her and her children.
Cousin Maureen grew up with a close knit extended family. Throughout her life she always made sure to show up and celebrate important occasions, as recently as this past month. Though she was born an only and long sought-after child, her cousins - particularly her older cousin Eleanor - made sure she enjoyed and experienced the support of sisterhood.
Aunt Maureen, as she was known to so many, created many wonderful and precious memories going back decades in many different locales, including Long Island, the Thousand Islands and the San Francisco Bay Area. She will be deeply missed by these dozens of nieces and nephews whom she loved so much.
New Hyde Park’s Mrs. Bellinger touched thousands and thousands of lives through years of teaching and mentoring her beloved students at Hillside Grade School, Garden City Park School and over two decades at Manor Oaks School. Prior to her role as permanent educator, she was a substitute teacher at every school in the district, including, for extended periods, both of her sons. Nothing like having Mom for Gym class and, yes - Health class! Mrs. Bellinger sincerely and devotedly loved her students, whose well-being was always foremost in her thoughts. She cultivated the highest admiration from from her education colleagues, whom she respected so much. Many of them have been her closest, and longest friends.
To her children’s and grandchildren’s friends, she is fondly remembered for her kindness and willingness to accept them like they were her own. She always ensured that they knew that her home was theirs as well, whether she was in New Hyde Park or taking over the household in Pacifica, CA.
Maureen was an avid participant in her parish and numerous social clubs both in New York and Florida. An intrepid traveller, she visited many different corners of the globe with like-minded adventurers, cherished friends and family. Her grandchildren loved the postcards, souvenirs and stories from their Globetrotting Grandma.
Above all else, she was our Mom and Grandma. Mother to Stephen and Robert, and later Jeanne Marie and Lianne, she raised us, cared for us and showed her love over the course of many decades. Our grief at her passing is deep and penetrating, but her love, wisdom and a lifetime of experience will carry the us through it at all and see us through to the end. To her grandchildren Jack, James, Clara, Erin and Tommy, she was the kind of grandmother for which one can only dream. To them, she was one of he kindest and most supportive persons in their lives. No matter what hobby, skill, or interest one of her grandkids picked up, she was the first person to express interest because she genuinely cared and wanted to hear them discuss their passions in their own voice. She wanted the best for everyone and consistently went out of her way to make sure they got it! She will be forever remembered, in her grandchildren’s own words, as “the light in a dim room”. Every day with her was a master class in the Fine Art of Loving Grandma, at which she excelled beyond all measure. She created decades of loving memories, funny stories and unforgettable moments. And lots and lots and lots of unbelievably delicious holiday feasts, non-holiday feasts, breakfasts, lunches, snacks and ice creams on the sly.
A lifelong, devoted and practicing Catholic, she was greatly comforted in her final hours by the promise of life everlasting in the presence of eternal God.
Public Visitation will be held on Sunday April 2 at the New Hyde Park Funeral Home at 506 Lakeville Road, from 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM and 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in New Hyde Park at 10:45 AM.
VISITATION
Sunday, April 2
2:00 - 4:30 PM & 7:00 - 9:30 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Monday, April 3
10:45 AM
Notre Dame R.C. Church
45 Mayfair Road, New Hyde Park, NY
INTERMENT
Mount Saint Mary Cemetery
172-00 Booth Memorial Avenue, Flushing, NY
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