Aldona Janina (Kilis) Wantek

Aldona Janina Kilis Wantek aka Dona Wantek of Colchester, CT passed away peacefully in the early morning of July 1, 2025, at the age of 66. Dona had valiantly fought a lengthy battle with cancer.

Dona was born on November 25, 1958, in Waterbury, the beloved daughter of Bohdan and Janina Kilis. The youngest of four, her family moved to Newington where she grew up and graduated from Newington High School in 1976. She pursued several career opportunities throughout her life, including work as a CNA and then as an x-ray technicial at New Britain General Hospital. She later worked as a secretary for a group of engineers at Pratt and Whitney and then transitioned to the role of administrative assistant at the Hospital for Special Care. Despite having some medical issues, Dona later enjoyed some part-time work at Big Y in Marlborough where she thoroughly enjoyed her customers and co-workers.

Dona was an avid reader and animal lover, especially cats. She loved and adopted many cats over the years. She enjoyed reading all types of literature, including history, music, and religious/spiritual readings. She loved music, sewing, watching movies and documentaries, and was eager to be constantly learning new things. She made many intricate cross-stitch works of art that she generously gifted to family and friends. She was a fun-loving and spiritual person. She deeply loved her family. Dona will be missed by many for her fun-loving, compassionate, honest, and direct style of connecting and communicating.

Dona was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by her siblings, including Bohdan Kilis, his wife Marilyn of Marlborough, CT, Leszek Kilis, his wife Wendy, of Newington, and Gina Peck, her husband Eric of Blair, South Carolina. She is also survived by her cousins, Richard and John Zydavicius, and Carolyn, husband Tom Lyons. In addition, she is survived by her beloved great nieces and nephews including Gabriella, Dominic, Aiden, Ariana, Donovan, Samantha, Logan, Emielia, Riley, and Evelyn. Dona also leaves her very close friends Joni Anderson-Senk, Kimmy Wantek and Peter Bocompani whom she loved dearly as well as many other friends and extended family.

Her family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date.

The family would like to extend a note of thanks to the medical staff at Smilow Hospital at St. Francis Hospital. They would also like to thank the Hospice Team from Masonicare. Lastly, they would like to thank the wonderful staff at Colonial Healthcare in Plainfield for their outstanding care and compassion during the last few weeks of Dona's life.

Dona will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who were lucky enough to know her. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dona's name to The CT Humane Society at 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111.