Mary Veronica (Adams) Kilduff of Ansonia and Derby, and most recently of Seymour, Connecticut, peacefully entered into eternal life at Shady Knoll Health and Rehabilitation Center on Dec. 30, 2024.
“Vonnie” to those who knew and loved her was born in New York City on July 20, 1926, the daughter of the late Stanley J. Adams and Mary (Ray) Adams. She was educated at the Assumption School and Ansonia High School, graduating in 1943.
After graduation, she worked in the American Brass Paymaster’s Office until 1948 when she married Joseph C. Kilduff. At home while she raised her children, she returned to the workforce in 1966 and was a secretary in the Principal’s Office at the Ansonia High School for 22 years. She retired in 1988.
In 1981, Vonnie donated a kidney to her son Chris which gave him 15 more years of life. It was also a life-changing experience for her. This event made her a strong advocate of organ donation.
Vonnie had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel, meet new people, and experience different cultures. She toured 31 countries, visiting several of them multiple times.
She also traveled extensively throughout the U.S. She was a member of the Derby Historical Society, the Connecticut Society of Genealogists, several senior centers, and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians who named her “Irish Woman of the Year” in 2004.
During retirement, Vonnie learned to play pool. She enjoyed the sport immensely and for many years played weekly with a group of friends.
She is survived by her loving daughter Denise Kilduff and son-in-law Mark Hoskin, M.D. of Vermont, her loving daughter-in-law Leona Dang Kilduff of California, grandson Emmett Hoskin and his fiancée Lauren Prinzing of Vermont, and granddaughters Sian Dang Kilduff of California and Michaella Peake of California.
In addition to her parents, Vonnie was predeceased by her husband Joseph C. Kilduff, her son J. Christopher Kilduff, and her sisters Muriel Musante and Margaret Adams. Jenkins-King & Malerba Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Per Vonnie’s wishes, there will be no calling hours. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Vonnie’s life at a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, January 9 at 10:00 AM at the Church of the Assumption, 61 North Cliff Street, Ansonia.
The family would like to thank the staff at Shady Knoll and Athena Hospice for their compassionate care of Vonnie during the final years of her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org) or the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org).
