Barbara Marie Pilzer

Barbara Pilzer, 82, of West Harwich, Massachusetts, and Savannah, Georgia, died after a courageous battle with cancer at her daughter’s home in East Sandwich, Massachusetts May 20, 2026. She was surrounded by loved ones after being lovingly cared for at home during the last year.

Born on October 25, 1943, in London, England, Barbara was the youngest daughter of Gordon and Marjorie Hill. She spent her youth caring for her beloved horse, Stormy, before moving to London as a young woman after finishing school.

While living in London with her closest friends, Barbara worked at various television companies as a production assistant. She often delighted family and friends with stories of mingling with famous musicians of the era and attending glamorous parties across London. It was during this chapter of her life that she met Peter Pilzer, a dashing and hilarious man who became the love of her life until his death in 2018, just prior to their 50th wedding anniversary. As a young couple they moved around the world exposing them to foreign cultures and meeting friends along the way from Jamaica, Mexico, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, Canada, to England and then finally the USA in 1981.

After starting her family, Barbara became a homemaker and devoted countless hours to her children, their schools, and the community they settled in: Bronxville, New York. It was there that she formed many lifelong friendships and was known as one of the kindest, most generous, and spirited of friends—qualities that stayed with her wherever she lived and with everyone she encountered. In the last 15 years they divided time between their summer home on Cape Cod and Skidaway Island, Savannah, GA. New and wonderful friendships forged during this time filled Barbara with love for and connections to the communities and people there.

Barbara found joy in gathering people together. She loved word games of all kinds, especially Scrabble and crossword puzzles, and happily joined groups for mahjong, bridge, and celebrations of the many cultures and nationalities of those around her. She was a wonderful self-taught cook and an effortless hostess. Fondly dubbed, Hotel Pilzer, her home welcomed friends and family from near and far at any time of the year.

Barbara is survived by her three children and their families: Sarah Pilzer; Anna Pilzer and Ray Romero; and Mantie Pilzer and Jeff Cavicchi; and by her beloved grandchildren, James Pilzer, Isabel Cavicchi, Atticus Cavicchi, and Sebastian Romero; sister in-law Hannah Alers-Hankey, and other dear relatives in England and Europe. She was predeceased by her sisters Angela Hill and Pamela Blanchard, brothers in law Jeremy Blanchard and Andrew Alers-Hankey, and husband Peter Pilzer.

She will be remembered for her warmth, humor, generosity, and the way she made everyone feel welcome.

Memorial celebrations will take place in the early fall in both Savannah, Georgia, and Bronxville, New York, with details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Cape Wellness Collaborative.