Lillian Vishno of Sag Harbor Dies January 10 - 27 East
logo logo logo logo

Sag Harbor Express

Obituaries / Southampton Press / Obituaries / Sag Harbor Express / 2227696

Lillian Vishno of Sag Harbor Dies January 10

icon 1 Photo
Lillian Vishno

Lillian Vishno

authorStaff Writer on Jan 22, 2024

Lillian Vishno of Sag Harbor, who family members described as a beloved wife, mother and friend, died at home surrounded by family on January 10. She was 91.

The daughter of Michael and Mary Lekas of New Haven, Connecticut, she attended New Haven State Teachers college. Upon graduation, she began teaching elementary school in New Haven, where she met and married Robert Vishno from Branford, Connecticut. In 1956, they moved to Sag Harbor, where she taught third grade for over 30 years.

As part of her community service, she started the migrant lunch program in Bridgehampton and was a Sag Harbor Village trustee for four years.

Bridge was a big part of her social life, and she was one point away from life master. Gardening and floral arranging was another talent, and she was member and past president of the Old Town Garden Club of Southampton.

She and her husband enjoyed traveling around the world aboard the QE2 and other Cunard ships for 17 years.

She was predeceased by her son, Robert, in 1987. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Bob; her daughter Dana Truxillo (Terrence) of Franklinton, Louisiana; her daughter Mary Beth Armstrong, L.Ac., of Sag Harbor; her grandchildren, Dr. Tim and Meredith Schrader of Atlanta, Dr. Terrence Truxillo (Becky) of New Orleans, U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Mark Truxillo (Sara) of Tuscon, Arizona, pediatric nurse practitioner Adrienne Truxillo (fiancé Craig Bryan) of New Orleans, and physicians assistant Lauren Truxillo (Emily) of Salem, Oregon; and 10 great-grandchildren.

A funeral Mass was held January 13 at St. Andrew Church in Sag Harbor, which concluded with Bradley Beyer on piano singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

You May Also Like:

Sag Harbor Man in Critical Condition After Police Say Motorist Struck His Motorcycle Intentionally During a Dispute in Riverhead on Friday Evening

A Riverhead man was arrested and charged with a felony account of assault after Riverhead Town Police say he intentionally drove his vehicle into a motorcycle operated by a Sag Harbor man, who is in critical condition at Stony Brook University Hospital as a result. Police said Tyryk Lewis, 28, drove his Jeep into a Honda motorcycle driven by Michael McCann, 60, shortly before 7 p.m. on Friday night. Lewis was traveling east on Old Country Road, between Ostrander Avenue and Oliver Street in Riverhead. Police said McCann was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital by the Suffolk County Police Aviation ... 13 Sep 2025 by Staff Writer

Safeguard the Future

Regarding the article on September 10, about Poxabogue Field [“Fate of Southampton Town-Owned Poxabogue Field, Within Sagaponack Village, Is Debated at Town Board Meeting,” 27east.com, September 10]: Most people care about the environment and understand how essential natural resources are for water quality and maintaining wildlife diversity, to support our ecosystems (and us). Changing the designated status of Poxabogue Field into open land makes sense, as it aligns with many of the area’s environmental objectives. We do need food from farms, and, in 1987, the vision for a farm made sense. However, today we face significant water pollution issues, loss ... by Staff Writer

Great Showing

The Water Mill Village Improvement Association would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all underwriters, sponsors, participants, spectators, and volunteers for making our car show a resounding success. It was a wonderful day on the village green, with hot weather and clear skies. Over 130 cars, trucks and motorcycles were on display, and many spectators came out to enjoy the show. This year, more than 20 dedicated volunteers assisted with setup, show operations and breakdown. We were thrilled to welcome “The Tavern Food Truck” — the food was fantastic! Our tentative date for the 25th Water Mill Car Show ... by Staff Writer

Let It Be

Last week’s article “Fate of Southampton Town-Owned Poxabogue Field, Within Sagaponack Village, Is Debated at Town Board Meeting” [27east.com, September 10] brought to light the concerns of some Southampton Town Board members that changing the status of Poxabogue Field from agriculture to open space/nature preserve might set a precedent that keeps farmers in the future from selling their land to the Community Preservation Fund. This is not the case. Poxabogue Field is a unique parcel, since it is located in the Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Preserve, where it sits next to Poxabogue Pond, one of the greenbelt’s famous string of ... by Staff Writer

We Are Not Immune

I was born in Dublin in 1960 and grew up watching Northern Ireland tear itself apart. Once violence was unleashed, it became the language of politics. Over three decades, more than 3,500 people were murdered before peace was finally secured through the Good Friday Agreement. To put that in perspective, adjusted for population, it would be the equivalent of over one million Americans murdered. The compromises reached then were not so different from what might have been negotiated years earlier — except they came after decades of trauma. That is why the murder of Charlie Kirk today horrifies me. I ... by Staff Writer

What You Don't See

Close your eyes and picture yourself asking for one more day. This isn’t about death — it’s about fear. Not the kind that comes from a horror movie, but the fear that creeps into everyday life: at the grocery store, the mall, anywhere. I was born a U.S. citizen to immigrant parents who taught me to be strong and courageous. But in today’s society, courage doesn’t erase the fear that haunts me daily. The papers that prove my right to be here feel meaningless when people like me are still discriminated against and treated like threats. None of us is ... by Staff Writer

Protect the Field

After living near and looking at beautiful Poxabogue Field daily for over 30 years, watching the grasses change colors through the seasons, the view across to Poxabogue Pond, the wildlife thriving there — protected Eastern box turtles; ground-nesting birds, including American woodcocks; deer, butterflies, beetles, moths, foxes, field mice, rabbits, woodchucks, snakes, salamanders, and all hidden animals that find protection to thrive in what has become an undisturbed grassland habitat after coming back from being a hayfield many years ago — I was thrilled when I heard it was being saved by our Community Preservation Fund dollars [“Fate of Southampton ... by Staff Writer

Ecological Value

There was thoughtful discussion at last week’s Southampton Town Board meeting regarding the future of Poxabogue Field [“Fate of Southampton Town-Owned Poxabogue Field, Within Sagaponack Village, Is Debated at Town Board Meeting,” 27east.com, September 10]. Most speakers voiced strong support for preserving the field in its natural state, citing its proximity to Poxabogue Pond and its transformation into a thriving grassland ecosystem that supports a wide variety of wildlife. Sagaponack’s Mayor Bill Tillotson expressed his desire to maintain the field as farmland. His concerns centered on protecting farmers and avoiding a precedent that might limit future agricultural use. He acknowledged, ... by Staff Writer

PHOTOS: East Hampton Holds September 11 Remembrance

The East Hampton Town Fire Chiefs Association hosted its annual 9/11 Memorial Service on Thursday ... 12 Sep 2025 by Staff Writer

Beth's Cafe in Quogue To Close for Good on September 21

When Beth D’Alessio set up shop in the small cafe formerly known as the Inn ... by Cailin Riley