Prospect, Conn. - Jane Stephanie Valetkevitch of Prospect, Conn., a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, died May 1, 2026, at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn., after a short illness. She was 88.

She was born on Nov. 29, 1937, to William Louis Jr. and J. Stephanie (Oldakowski) Hankey in Waterbury, Conn. She graduated from Crosby High School in Waterbury and then from flight attendant school in New York City. She was married to Albert Charles Valetkevitch for 60 years, and they had four children: Patricia (Clyde) Marotte of Middlebury, Conn.; Caroline Valetkevitch of Bronxville, N.Y.; Andrew Valetkevitch of Prospect; and Heidi (Keith) Rebello of Bethesda, Md..

A dedicated homemaker, Jane was also a staunch defender of women’s rights. She loved being a Girl Scout troop leader and helping young girls to earn their badges and discover their dreams. She was also a patriotic American who believed in a citizen’s civic obligations to vote in elections and to pay taxes. 

She enjoyed writing short stories and letters to life-long pen pals in Canada and Ireland. She was an avid collector of postcards from around the world.

She loved gardening, genealogy and, in later years, spending time with her grandchildren:Rachel Marotte of Middlebury; Zachary (Alexis) Marotte of New Britain, Conn.; Nicholas Marotte of Newington, Conn.;Michael Reid Craig of Bronxville; Lucy Jane and Jack Rebello of Bethesda.  

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, and her brother, William Hankey III. She is survived by her brother, Edward Hankey of Prospect.

A service honoring both Jane and Albert will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Fitzgerald Zembruski
Funeral Home in Naugatuck, Conn. Calling hours will be from 9-10 a.m., with a funeral service at 10:30 a.m.. Jane and Albert will be buried next to one another at Grove Cemetery in Naugatuck. A burial will follow the service, including military honors for Albert, who was a staff sergeant in the US. Air Force, in which he
served for eight years.

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Prospect, Conn. – If you are reading this, I am no longer with you. I am Jane Stephanie Valetkevitch. I was born on Nov. 29, 1937, in Waterbury, Conn., to William Louis Jr. and J. Stephanie (Oldakowski) Hankey. I lived most of my life in Prospect, Conn. I was married to Albert Charles Valetkevitch for 60 years. He died on Dec. 13, 2021.

We were blessed with four amazing children – Patricia, Caroline, Andrew and Heidi. (They probably took after Albert.) I am also survived by my wonderful grandchildren – Rachel, Zachary, Nicholas, Reid, Jack and Lucy. I loved you all, and I was very proud of you.

I liked to read, do puzzles, and watch Turner Classic movies. I loved our family vacations on Cape Cod and spending all the holidays with everyone, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I tried to be kind, understanding, and helpful to everyone. I’m sorry if I was not. (Blame it on my Irish temper.) I think I had an interesting life. And now I am going home. To my beloved family and friends, I bid you farewell until we meet again. 

JV