Mary Ann (Sebald) Hilbert, of Marlborough, CT, passed away at home on July 6, 2025, with loved ones by her side. She was born on December 28, 1947 in Erie, PA where she was raised by the late Anna and Michael Sebald and graduated from Villa Maria Academy in 1965. She was the oldest of their five children, and is preceded in death by her siblings, Margaret and Michael. 

She is survived by her devoted husband of nearly 58 years, Gary Hilbert, her loving daughters and their spouses, Amy Hilbert and Steven Roach, and Melissa Hilbert and Feargal O’Toole, and her caring grandchildren, Brendan Roach, Alexis Roach, and Tess O’Toole. She also leaves behind her sister Patricia Munz and her husband Tom Schlaudecker, her brother Joseph Sebald and his wife Amy, and many cherished in-laws, nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends. 

Mary was an exceptionally strong, intelligent, and capable person. She started her career in 1967 at The Ohio State University Radio Observatory, where she contributed to astronomical surveys including the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. While supporting Gary’s academic studies, she also established their first household. After settling in Marlborough, they built a beautiful home together that became a lifelong focus and source of pride. As a young mother of two toddlers, Mary pursued a challenging degree in Physics at the University of Connecticut. She then worked as an engineer for several years at UConn Health and United Nuclear Corporation. Her creative design and construction talents eventually led her to launch Cornucopia Designs, a business she successfully ran until retirement. Mary’s interior design work graced hundreds of homes and businesses throughout New England for decades. 

An avid hiker, Mary kept active every day she could. She also loved to travel, pursuing the best vistas and exploring off-the-beaten-path locations. Some of her favorite destinations were Hawaii, Bhutan, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and National Parks across the US. 

She faced a seven year battle with Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), a rare and debilitating neurological disorder, with grace. Even as her condition progressed, Mary remained determined and enjoyed traveling with family throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. In response to concerns from loved ones and even strangers, she always insisted, “I’m OK!” It was her way of reassuring others and reminding us that she had lived a good life. 

Mary gave a final gift of science, knowledge, and health by donating her brain to the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, hoping to advance MSA research and mitigate the suffering of others.

Mary was loved and respected by many and will be deeply missed. 

Calling hours will take place at the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Road, Colchester, CT on Sunday, July 20, from 11:00am-1:00pm. Memorial service at the same location will begin at 1:00pm, immediately followed by a luncheon reception at the Marlborough Tavern, 3 East Hampton Road, Marlborough, CT. A memorial celebration of life will take place in Erie, PA at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to Multiple System Atrophy Research & Education at donate.missionmsa.org