Sophia U. (Unikas) Cheske

Waterbury-Sophia U. (Unikas) Cheske, 94, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, at Abbott Terrace Health Center, on Tuesday, May 19, 2015. Sophia was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Francis J. Cheske. Our family would like to thank the staff of Abbott Terrace, particularly 2E, for the kind and
gentle care they provided to our mother, while she was a patient there.

Mrs. Cheske was born in Waterbury, CT, where she spent most of her life before moving to Naugatuck. She was the daughter of John and Antanina (Yeskelevich) Unikas. She graduated from St. Joseph's Grammar school, and attended Wilby High School. She was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Waterbury. She was employed at Timex Corp., S.N.E.T. Co. as a telephone operator, and retired from W.J McGinn, Construction Co., Naugatuck where she was employed as a receptlonist/switchbooard operator.

She is survived by her daughter, Claudia C. Vaudreuil and her husband Cliff of Woodbury; her son, Winfield J. Cheske and his wife Tracy  of Thomaston. She leaves a sister, Theresa Amodeo and her husband Thomas  of Middlebury; five grandchildren, Tracey Maton of Watertown, Brian Halloran, of Middlebury, Winfield Cheske, Jr. of Harwinton, Lt. Francis C. Cheske USCG, of St. Petersburg, FL and Victoria Cheske of Thomaston;  six great-grandchildren, Gavin C. Maton, Brendan R. Maton of Watertown, Charlotte Halloran and Brynn Halloran, of Middlebury, and Winfield J. Cheske III and Jenna Cheske, of Harwinton. She is also survived by several nieces, and was predeceased by her nephew and godson, Thomas Amodeo, Jr.

Friends and family are asked to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday May 23, 2015 at 10a.m.at St. Joseph's Church, 46 Congress Ave. Waterbury. Those attending are asked to please meet at the church at 9:45a.m. Burial will follow in New Calvary Cemetery, East Main Street, Waterbury. There are no calling hours. The Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of CT, 2975 Silas Dean Highway, Suite.100, Rocky Hill, CT 06067; or to the Abbott Terrace Resident Council Fund, 44 Abbott Terrace, Waterbury, CT 06702.  To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com

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