Elizabeth (“Quita”) Reidy Bilzor, born and raised in Elmira, New York, died peacefully on October 21, 2025, at her home in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at the age of 76.

Quita (a lifelong nickname, pronounced keeta) was preceded in death by her parents, Edith Reidy and Harry Reidy, and by siblings Ted and infant Mary Theresa. She leaves behind her devoted husband, John C. Bilzor, and their loving sons—John P. and Michael Bilzor. She is also survived by: siblings Tom Reidy and his wife Vicki, Paul Reidy and his wife Nancy, Mary Fay and her husband Greg, Harry Reidy, Jr. and his wife Cheryl, Edie Reidy, Wini Dillon and her husband John, and Maureen Mann and her husband Clint; grandsons Colby and Brooks Bilzor; aunt Wini Widman, uncle Dick Reidy and his wife Theresa; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews and their children.

Quita had a larger-than-life personality and made life brighter for those around her. She felt emotions strongly and wore her heart on her sleeve. After working in various uninspiring occupations during her early adult years, Quita was encouraged by her mother, a lifelong nurse and teacher, to try nursing. She did so and became a registered nurse after graduating from Elmira’s St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1979. That decision and training changed her life.

Working first as a hospital floor nurse, Quita soon found her true calling in the challenging and high intensity environments of intensive care units and emergency rooms. She worked in hospitals in Elmira, Buffalo, Utica, Williamsburg, and finally Norfolk/Virginia Beach. She retired in 1999 from the Sentara Leigh Hospital ER. Throughout her career, she helped save and repair a countless number of patients, and her insights and empathy meaningfully touched many of them and their families. Though retired, Quita continued to identify herself as a nurse ever after, and rightly so.

Outside of work, Quita appreciated Asian culture and art, particularly sumi-e, a form of Japanese brush painting requiring skill, delicacy, and patience. Though notoriously impatient, Quita loved sumi-e and after many lessons and much practice, she created excellent paintings that will continue to be proudly displayed on the walls of her home.

After retirement, Quita began playing bridge and loved it. She cared little about winning or losing. She did care about playing regularly with a circle of friends that she valued and loved more than can be expressed here.

Quita will be remembered for all the above and for the loving care she provided for her patients, family, friends, and especially for her husband John. Quita’s and John’s love and support for each other was obvious to everyone throughout their remarkable relationship of more than sixty years.

The family is very grateful for the care provided to Quita by the staff of Sentara Leigh Hospital, especially the RNs in the ICU, and is thankful for the brief but valuable assistance provided by Westminster Canterbury at Home.

Remembrance/celebration events will take place in Virginia Beach and Elmira at times and places TBD.

Simply Cremation is assisting Quita’s family with the arrangements.