Eleanor A. (Gedutis) Yonika, widow of Benedict Yonika, passed away at the Suffield House, Suffield, CT on July 14, 2022, at the age of 90. She was born to Paul and Amelia Gedutis on November 2, 1931 in Hartford, CT and graduated from Holy Trinity High School.
After her marriage to Ben in 1947, they moved to South Windsor where they lived for almost 65 years. She and Ben farmed, tended the animals, and grew broad leaf tobacco. Eleanor was employed at the South Windsor Convalescent Home, and later as a supervisor in the Service Department at Manchester Memorial Hospital. After her husband died in 1994, she moved to East Hartford where she lived for many years.
Eleanor was a long time communicant of St. Francis of Assisi Church in South Windsor. Both she and Ben had close knit family ties, and most of their free time was spent associating with them, raising and watching over children, and sharing their Lithuanian heritage through food, traditions, and family gatherings. This tight knit family legacy was passed on to their children and grandchildren, and they all became familiar with the fine cuisine of stuffed cabbage, pierogis, kugelis, and paskha, and still share their time making them together.
She is survived by her son-in-law, Lester Roberts of South Windsor; her daughter Shirley Peak and her husband Joe of New Smyrna Beach, FL; her daughter Susan Andersen and her husband David of Rogersville, TN; her son Timothy Yonika and his wife Karen of South Windsor; her daughter Roberta Ley and her husband Jim of Midway, TN; and her son Bruce Yonika and his wife Maria of Enfield, CT. She was predeceased by her husband Benedict and her daughter Janet. She is the proud aunt of a multitude of nieces and nephews, 14 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
A period of visitation will be held on Saturday, July 30, 2022 at Benjamin J. Callahan Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave, East Hartford from 10:00am – 1:00pm, with a service of remembrance to follow. Burial will be private.
The family would like to give special thanks to Bruce and Maria for having such an impact on her care and happiness over these recent difficult years. Also special thanks to the Suffield House Staff and the Masonic Hospice Staff for the excellent care and support they provided to both Eleanor and her family.
Eleanor’s love of family, her sense of humor, and her strength will be missed, but never forgotten. May she rest in peace. For an online memorial, please visit www.CallahanFuneral.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18