Remembering Mary Boltz

Mary A. Caparelli-Boltz, a Rockville Centre resident, died peacefully in her sleep on Sept. 14. She was 86.

Described by her family as a true pioneer, Mary was born in Inwood and graduated from Lawrence High School. She worked for the CBS Publicity Department from 1943-1948 and wrote extensively for television, radio and the local Gotham Guide Magazine. She was active in the USO during World War II and met her husband, William E. Boltz, on a blind date when he was stationed on Long Island.

Having successfully broken the glass ceiling, Boltz became the first woman admitted into the Inwood Civic and Businessman’s Association, where she served as secretary from 1952-1964, as president from 1965-1966 and as chairman of the board from 1967-1968. A successful businesswoman, Boltz founded and managed both Coastline International Distributors, an aerospace supply company with Thomas J. Carroll, and the Air Ship N’ Shore Travel Agency. She was an active member of the Long Island Chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE). She was also the President of Bangor Realty and ABOC Enterprises LLC.

A strong believer in being active in the community, Boltz devoted a large portion of her time and effort to political, philanthropic and charitable organizations. She instituted scholarships and grants for students in the Five Towns area; she served as president of the Lawrence Public School 2 PTA; became a lifetime member of the Central Council PTA and took the job of vice president of the Economic Opportunity Council in Inwood. For many years, Boltz was an active board member of St. Joachim Church in Cedarhurst, where she worked diligently to raise funds for its annual Diamond Ball. She became a member of the Long Island Chapter of Boy’s Town of Italy, and chaired its gift committee for many years.

Boltz was on the board of directors for the Marco Island, Fla. chapter of the American Cancer Society. A lover of music and the fine arts, she was also on the board of directors of the Marco Island/Naples Philharmonic Symphony and a member of the board at the Stecher and Horowitz School of the Arts in New York.

Boltz started the Lawrence High School Reunion Committee, Class of 1941. She continued this for 30 years until 1971, and became Chairman of Lawrence High School 50th Year Reunion in 1991. She was an active member of the American Business Woman’s Association, Long Island Chapter. As a member of the United Way, Boltz was instrumental in the success of its annual Red Feather balls until 1992.

Boltz has been honored numerous times receiving recognition as the Nassau Herald’s Person of the Year; and Silver and Gold Medallion awards from Boy’s Town of Italy; for her outstanding work for young people. Boy's Town of Italy also presented her — a businesswoman, mother, grandmother and community activist — with its 1997 “Woman of the Year” award. Boltz was also an honoree at the St. Joachim Diamond Ball.

Mary Caparelli-Boltz is survived by her three daughters, Valerie Boltz Austin, Beverly Boltz and Cindy (Sean) O’Rourke. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: William and Jonathan Austin; Heather O’Rourke (Anton) Dengler; Cynthia O’Rourke (Nick) Zottoli and Thomas E., Patricia and Breffni O’Rourke; and two great-grandchildren, Thomas D. and Nevaeh O’Rourke.

Her family describes her as an amazing and accomplished woman who was truly ahead of her time. Through her untiring efforts and her faith in God, she was blessed with the opportunity to touch the lives of many people and always managed to bring out the best in them. Her family says she was a true pioneer who paved the way so others could benefit from her hard work and life’s journey.

A wake for Boltz was held at the Thomas A. Glynn Funeral Home on Lincoln Avenue, and a Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Agnes Cathedral on Sept. 18.