Margaret Mary Bond (“Mary”) of Murrells Inlet, SC, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2026, in South Carolina. She was 94.
The daughter of the late Frank D. Blizard and Anna Marie Lawder Blizard, she was born March 12, 1932, in Montgomery, NY.
In her teenage years, Mary was active in organized sports, including basketball and softball. She was the center of the Saint Mary’s Girls CYO basketball team, a team that won 35 consecutive games over a 3-year period (circa 1948) and were crowned State Champions. In high school she was a popular student, attending proms in each of her four years. After graduating Montgomery High School in 1952, she started work at Highlands Telephone (now Verizon) as a telephone operator in Walden, NY.
During that time, she met a young Montgomery High School Industrial Arts teacher (Robert Doran Bond), eventually marrying in December 1959 at Holy Name of Mary (i.e. “Saint Mary”) in Montgomery. Mary briefly left the workforce as the couple welcomed three children, Robert (1961), Katherine (1962), and Marc (1963).
Mary and Robert (“Bob”) raised their three children in an idyllic suburban setting within walking distance of Montgomery Elementary School (formerly High School). Their home welcomed a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and neighborhood children, with their in-ground swimming pool being the summer center of attention for many decades.
With the children now older, she rejoined the work force in the 1970s, working in business operations at Rochester Telephone (formerly Highlands Telephone) in Monroe, NY. Her children fondly remember the family car trips to visit relatives in Oswego, NY, Washington DC, and to Disney World.
As a mother and eventual grandmother (“Nana”), she encouraged a sense of independence in children, including baking and meal preparation. In the 1970s, Mary’s love for Neil Diamond music blossomed, seeing him several times over his long career. She also enjoyed films and was even known to cat-nap during them on occasion. She was a huge fan of the NY Yankees, frequently asking “what channel are the Yankees on tonight”?
Her family fondly remembers her cackling laugh, her sweet tooth, and the comfort food and desserts she lovingly prepared - Hamburger (Shepard’s) Pie, London Broil, Meat Loaf, Irish Potato Candy, Lemon Squares, Coffee Cake, and Cherry Cheese Cake.
In 1997, Mary lost her husband Bob, but she continued to touch people’s lives for almost another 30-years. She will be missed more than can be put into words. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were incredibly fortunate to grow up knowing what it felt like to be loved by her. The family will carry her with them through so many memories: the big ones, the funny ones, and especially the little everyday ones.
Mary is survived by her children Robert D. Bond, Jr, and his wife Terry, Katherine J. Bond-Coleman and her husband Mark, and Marc E. Bond. Also, by her five grandchildren Jessica L. Bond, Alyssa B. (Coleman) Scala and her husband Joe, Zachary T. Coleman and his wife Jessica, Kelly M. Bond and her husband Dave, and Molly B. Bond and her husband Zach, and two great grandchildren (Cameron D. Scala and Rhys J. Scala). She is also survived by her cousin Sharon (Butts) Brophy and many nieces and nephews.
Along with her husband and parents, she was predeceased by brothers Francis Daniel Blizard, Edward Donald Blizard, and George Henry Blizard, as well as sister Kathryn Jane (“Sis”) Blizard.
A funeral mass will take place Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 10:30am at Holy Name of Mary Church, 89 Union St., Montgomery, NY 12549.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Family Hospice or St Jude Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.
For directions or condolences please visit millspaughfuneralhome.com