THELMA ILLSON LEVY OBITUARY

THELMA ILLSON LEVY OBITUARY

Thelma Illson Levy (November 21,1931 – April 21, 2025) died unexpectedly, in a car crash just steps from her home, the Polo Club of Boca Raton, FL. alongside her beloved husband and best friend, Gerry Levy, whom also died.

Mom’s life for the past 25 years at Polo was a far cry from her humble start in Brooklyn, NY. The only child of Dorothy and Harry Englemeyer. She grew up surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins with whom she maintained lifelong contact. She graduated from New Utrecht High School in 1949. She met Edmund Illson and moved to Plainview, NY. She had 4 children, Michael (Debbie), Kenneth and Barbara (Bob), Gregory (Ariana). Summers days were spent at TOBAY Beach and the Plainview Pool. Later on, she began power walking at the Plainview High School track. She worked a series of jobs, one of her longest stints was working the TV concession at Central General Hospital where she enjoyed the hubbub and conversing with patients. Eventually she moved on to her typist position at BOCES, where she remained until retirement. In the early 1980s, Mom met Gerald Levy while walking laps at the Plainview YMHA. They eloped in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve and resided in Bayside, Queens for 10 years. They eventually relocated to Boca Raton, continuing to enjoy their fabulous life together. Thelma became a master bridge player. She also became an avid golfer and continued her power walking. She was a recognizable fixture during her 4 mile walks around Polo. Mom loved to be wherever the action was and made scores of friends. She especially loved her 6 grandchildren: Jeffrey, Andrew, Trevor, Thomas, Caitlin and Joe and 3 great grandchildren: Elise, Reese and Illana, as well as the extended family she shared with Gerry.

Her welcoming smile and embrace of life will live long in the hearts of those who had the opportunity to know her