Miriam Schulman Bilinkoff's Obituary
Miriam Schulman Bilinkoff, known to all as Miki, passed away on September 26, 2020. She was born on January 3, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York to Eva and Arthur Sklar. Her parents were garment workers in New York City and extremely active in the organized labor movement. This early exposure shaped many of her strongly held views regarding social justice. Miki is predeceased by her older brother Dorian (Chaim Shalev).
Miki was a gifted singer and attended Manhattan’s famed High School of Music and Art. While a student, she met George Schulman. They were married for 36 years until his death in 1990. Together they had three children: Debbie Schulman Montemurro, Gary Schulman and Marc Schulman. Miki is survived by her three children, as well as their spouses: Victor Montemurro, Cecilia Brock, and Marylynn Krolczyk.
Miki met her second husband, Herbert Bilinkoff, in 1990. A year later, they began a twenty year marriage that lasted until Herb’s death in 2011. Miki welcomed into her family two more daughters, Jodi Bilinkoff and Robin Bilinkoff, and an extended family that brought her great joy.
Miki delighted in her six grandchildren: Maya Montemurro, Cassie Montemurro (deceased), Maria Brock-Schulman, Amanda Bilinkoff-Haney, Joshua Schulman, and Daniel Schulman, as well as grandsons-in-law Charles Connolly and Brandon Joo. She had great hope for the generation that includes her beloved great-granddaughters, Olivia Connolly, Cate Connolly, and Isabel Brock-Schulman. Her extended family in Israel includes Chaim’s spouse June and their children Yossi, Nadav, Na’ama and Avner, and their families.
Miki was a dedicated and loving friend to many, both in Patchogue, New York and Delray Beach, Florida. She was invested in the causes and in the people that she worked with, both as a volunteer and in her professional capacities at the Patchogue-Medford School District Adult Education department and the Internal Revenue Service. Her entrepreneurial endeavors, embarking on projects with friends and family, hinted at her range of abilities. Miki loved musical theatre, word play, food and cooking; above all else, she loved instilling and sharing these passions with those around her.
Miki Bilinkoff died on September 26, 2020, of Covid, after living with dementia for several years. She is loved and missed by her family and friends. Individuals wishing to make a donation in her memory might consider one of two organizations Miki supported:
ORT America (find more information at ortamerica.org)
or Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) (find more information at splcenter.org)
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