Muhlich, Ilona M.

SLINGERLANDS – Ilona M. Muhlich, passed away suddenly on August 31, 2021 at the age of 79 at Albany Medical Center.

Ilona was born in 1941 to Blanche and Joseph Manor in Lawrence, MA. Earning her B.A. from the University of New Hampshire, she went on to receive her Masters of Education from SUNY Albany. A 30-year career in teaching English followed, starting in Glens Falls and ending at Columbia High School in East Greenbush, in 1997.

On December 27, 1969, Ilona married the love of her life, Leonard, in a snowstorm in Salem, NH. They have two children, Jeremy (Catherine) and Sara (Daniel) both of whom live in the Boston area. She loved her grandchildren more than anything in this world. She was a doting “Noni” to Chloe (10), Leo (7), Noelle (5) and Hazel (3). She is also survived by her sister, Lois (Dick) Davis. She was preceded in death by her other sister, Joenne (Edward) O’Connell. She leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ilona’s biggest passion was reading. Taking weekly trips to the library, or ordering on-line, there would always be a few books next to her favorite reading chair. If she didn’t have at least two books in reserve she became uneasy. She was also an active member of her community, spearheading the effort to get the Slingerlands Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.

Throughout her life, Ilona and Len traveled the world and made many lifelong friendships and memories together. Caring for others always came natural for Ilona, and that will be her lasting legacy with everyone she knew. Family always came first.