Linda Frances Wilkos Caruso

October 3, 1941 – July 23, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Linda Wilkos Caruso, of Newington, CT, who died peacefully at home on July 23, 2025. Her departure leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of those who loved her.

Born in Hartford CT in 1941, Linda graduated from Hartford High School in 1959. During her high school years she was an active member of the Sigma Kappa Lambda Sorority, where she formed many lifelong friendships. After graduating she worked as a dedicated bookkeeper for many years.

Linda loved to dance & was a regular at local social events. It was at one such gathering that she met her future husband, Pasquale (Pat) Caruso. Together they built a beautiful life in Bloomfield, CT, raising their three daughters before eventually settling in Newington in a home Linda proudly designed.

An avid shopper, Linda loved browsing the latest trends at Nordstrom & treating herself to lunch in the café. She had a passion for golf, both playing & watching the sport brought her joy & relaxation. Linda was also an excellent bowler & spent many happy hours at the lanes with friends & league teammates. She found great joy in meeting new people & learning about their lives. Linda was an active & engaged member of her community, including her involvement as the second woman accepted as a member of Newington UNICO.

Though a lifelong Hartford-area resident, Linda cherished time spent at her family’s beach home at Hawks Nest Beach, a tradition passed down from her mother. The beach was a sanctuary where she & Pat could unwind, entertain guests & enjoy their friends.

Linda was predeceased by her beloved husband Pat Caruso, her parents Julius Wilkos, Sr. & Cora Wilkos Schultz, her stepfather Andrew Schultz, her sister Joyce Carilli-Bellard and her brother Julius Wilkos, Jr. She also leaves behind many loved Wilkos, Caruso & Carilli family members past & present.

She is survived by her three devoted daughters & their husbands: Christine & William Blaskiewicz of St. Pete Beach, FL, Patti & Manuel Silva and Andrea & Mark Zurzola all of Wethersfield, CT. 

Linda’s greatest joys in life were her five grandchildren: Liliana Silva & her fiancé James Bradshaw, Manuel Silva & his fiancée Leiah Cutkomp, Gabriela Silva, Olivia Zurzola & her significant other Caleb Daniels and Zachary Zurzola, whom she proudly called the “lights of her life”.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Linda’s memory to The Favarh Players Theater Program, a cause that was close to her heart. Donations can be mailed to Favarh, 225 Commerce Drive, Canton, CT 06019. Checks should be made payable to Favarh, with the memo line stating: “Favarh Theater Program - in Memory of Linda Caruso”.  Donations can also be made online at: https://favarh.org/programs/lifestyle/theater-program.html